MenuGuide to the Charles Alfred Euston Fitzroy Diary, 1949 February 7-October 7
Abstract
Charles Alfred Euston FitzRoy (1892-1970), 10th Duke of Grafton, was a soldier and farmer.
The collection consists of a single daily diary that records the events of two trips taken by Charles Alfred Euston FitzRoy and his third wife, Rita, in 1949. Slightly less than half of the diary is used, 171 pages in all, with entries from February 7 through May 28, and from August 8 through October 7. The first portion of the diary describes FitzRoy's daily activities while staying on his ranch near Enkeldoorn in Southern Rhodesia (now Chivhu, Zimbabwe) in March and April and while in Kenya visiting acquaintances in February and on safari in May. The second used portion of the diary records the daily activities of FitzRoy, his family, and friends while hunting in northern Scotland.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Grafton, Charles Alfred Euston Fitzroy, Duke of, 1892-1970.
- Title
- Charles Alfred Euston Fitzroy Diary, 1949 February 7-October 7
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 0.1 Linear Feet, 1 Item
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
The collection consists of a single daily diary that records the events of two trips taken by Charles Alfred Euston FitzRoy, 10th Duke of Grafton, and his third wife, Rita, in 1949. Slightly less than half of the diary is used, 171 pages in all, with entries from February 7 through May 28, and from August 8 through October 7.
The first portion of the diary describes FitzRoy's daily activities while staying on his ranch near Enkeldoorn in Southern Rhodesia (now Chivhu, Zimbabwe) in March and April and while in Kenya visiting acquaintances in February and on safari in May. Comments on ranch operations are often brief references to visiting "the dip" where livestock is submerged in chemicals to kill parasites, but include references to a cattle drive to Salisbury (now Harare, Zimbabwe). Outside of ranching, much of FitzRoy's time was spent sketching, visiting acquaintances, and sightseeing in nature reserves and towns including Victoria Falls in Southern Rhodesia, Livingstone and Mazabuka in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), and Fort Victoria (now Masvingo, Zimbabwe). Daily commentary during the 12-day hunting safari in Kenya is more extensive, providing details about stalking and killing several types of antelope, a gazelle, an impala, a zebra, and an African buffalo.
The second used portion of the diary records the daily activities of FitzRoy, his family, and friends, including the Duke of Gloucester on a few occasions, while hunting in northern Scotland. Comments chiefly recount the location of various members of the party and the number and type of animals killed, typically grouse, stags, and rabbits.
Administrative Information
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Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
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Expand AllHistorical Note
| Date | Event(s) |
|---|---|
| 1892 June 4 | Charles Alfred Euston FitzRoy born to Reverend Lord Charles FitzRoy, third and youngest son of the 7th Duke, and Ismay Mary Helen Augusta FitzRoy, daughter of the 3rd Baron Southampton |
| 1911 | Joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers in Quetta |
| 1917 | Appointed aide-de-camp and comptroller to Lord Buxton, Governor General of South Africa |
| 1918 | Married Lady Doreen Maria Josepha Sydney Buxton (1897-1923), daughter of his commanding officer, Lord Buxton |
| 1919 | Birth of Hugh Denis Charles FitzRoy, 11th Duke of Grafton; married to Ann Fortune Smith |
| 1920 | Birth of Lady Anne Mildred Ismay FitzRoy; married to Major Colin Mackenzie |
| 1921 | Retired from the army |
| 1921-1927 | Farmed at Coney Weston in Suffolk |
| 1923 | Birth of Lord Charles Oliver Edward FitzRoy (d. 1944); killed in action |
| 1924 | Married Lucy Eleanor Barnes (1897-1943), daughter of Sir George Stapylton Barnes |
| 1927-1936 | Served as land agent for his first wife’s maternal uncle, Owen Hugh Smith at Langham in Rutland |
| 1928 | Birth of Lord Edward Anthony Charles FitzRoy (d. 2007); married to Veronica Ruttledge |
| 1932 | Birth of Lord Michael Charles FitzRoy (d. 1954); presumed drowned in the Solomon Islands |
| 1936 | Succeeded his cousin to become the 10th Duke of Grafton; inherited the family estate at Euston Hall in Thetford, Norfolk |
| 1944 | Married Mrs. Rita Emily Currie (1911-1970), daughter of John Ralph Stockley Carr-Ellison |
| 1970 November 11 | Died at Bury St. Edmunds |
Subject Headings
- Grafton, Charles Alfred Euston Fitzroy, Duke of, 1892-1970.
- Hunting--Scotland--History--20th century.
- Nobility--England--Social life and customs--20th century.
- Ranching--Zimbabwe--History--20th century.
- Safaris--Kenya--History--20th century.
- Travelers--Africa.
- Travelers--Scotland--History--20th century.
- Kenya--Description and travel.
- Scotland--Description and travel.
- Zambia--Description and travel.
- Zimbabwe--Description and travel.
- Diaries.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Charles Alfred Euston Fitzroy Diary, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Provenance
The Charles Alfred Euston Fitzroy Diary was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a purchase in 1998.
Processing Information
Processed by Danielle Moore, July 2010
Encoded by Danielle Moore, July 2010
Accession 1998-0003 is described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.