Catalogue description George Melly Correspondence, 1844-94.

His correspondence reflects his interests and activities. It consists only of letters received by George Melly, which have been bound up under the title 'Geo. Melly, M.P. Private Correspondence' in 3 series:

1-5 in 4 volumes 1844-62, vol. 3 missing, old ref.

E 20394.

I-XXVIII in 30 vols., 1857-94, old ref. E 20394.

Autographs in 2 vols., 1854-c.1890, old ref.

Eq 1086.

There is also a volume of newscuttings, pamphlets, and a few copies of his letters, 1857-62, old ref. Hq 858.

For collections of Melly's pamphlets, speeches etc. in print made up as companion sets to the correspondence, see:

The Age we live in. A Collection of Pamphlets, Speeches & Essays on Political and Social Subjects.

1858-74 H 308 MEL

Stray leaves, 1856-94: pamphlets, speeches, addresses etc. on social and political questions.

7 vols. H 825 MEL

The correspondence of George Melly (1830-94), was presented to the Library in 1944 by Capt. W.H. Rawdon Smith.

• Melly, George, 1830-1894, MP

INDEXES. There is a card index of correspondents for the first two series, in which the letters have now been numbered as one series using the old volume numbers. There is also a limited index in the front of each of the Autograph volumes, and of the volumes of Newscuttings, etc. THERE IS NOW A DETAILED INDEX OF CORRESPONDENTS IN SHEAF CASES.

George Melly was the son of Andre Melly, a prosperous merchant, into whose firm George in due course entered, finally becoming the senior partner of George Melly & Co. In this capacity, he was prominent in business circles. He was one of the active body of Unitarians who played a prominent part in Liverpool public life. He was a prominent Liberal and contested Everton ward for the City Council without success in 1857, and thereafter never sought a seat there. A year later he was elected a member of the Select Vestry, which he held until 1860. He took a prominent part in the Volunteer Movement, being commissioned captain in the 4th Lancs. Artillery Volunteers, from which he resigned as major in 1866. In 1860 he was appointed J.P., in which function he was active for the rest of his life, and for the years 1866-74 was a member of the Dock Board.

He first sought to enter Parliament in 1862, contesting Preston, without success. He failed again at Stoke-upon-Trent in 1865, but was returned there in 1868, and continued M.P. until retirement in 1875, for reasons of health. He continued to take an interest in political affairs, and particularly in philanthropic movements.

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