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Victorian man's diary put online Victorian man's diary put online
(10 minutes later)
The private diary of a Victorian clerk is to be serialised online more than 160 years after it was written.The private diary of a Victorian clerk is to be serialised online more than 160 years after it was written.
The 19-year-old Londoner Nathaniel Bryceson's diary from 1846 described public hangings and his love life.The 19-year-old Londoner Nathaniel Bryceson's diary from 1846 described public hangings and his love life.
The diary was bought by Westminster council for £115 in 1974 but had only been available in manuscript at the council's archive.The diary was bought by Westminster council for £115 in 1974 but had only been available in manuscript at the council's archive.
Now its 260 entries have been transcribed and sections will be published online throughout the year.Now its 260 entries have been transcribed and sections will be published online throughout the year.
Mr Bryceson, who lived in Richmond Buildings, Soho, also followed the news headlines of the day, including the wedding anniversary of Queen Victoria.Mr Bryceson, who lived in Richmond Buildings, Soho, also followed the news headlines of the day, including the wedding anniversary of Queen Victoria.
'Captivating window''Captivating window'
One of the earliest copperplate entries, on 5 January, describes a public hanging of a young woman.One of the earliest copperplate entries, on 5 January, describes a public hanging of a young woman.
"Martha Browning expiated her crime on the scaffold in the Old Bailey, for the murder of Elizabeth Mundell on the 1st of December last," Mr Bryceson wrote."Martha Browning expiated her crime on the scaffold in the Old Bailey, for the murder of Elizabeth Mundell on the 1st of December last," Mr Bryceson wrote.
"The culprit showed great presence of mind on the occasion and ascended the gallows with a firm and steady step, and without any assistance. The body was cut down at 9 o'clock," he added."The culprit showed great presence of mind on the occasion and ascended the gallows with a firm and steady step, and without any assistance. The body was cut down at 9 o'clock," he added.
Mr Bryceson, who was born in St Marylebone in 1826, worked as a clerk at Lea's coal wharf in Pimlico, earning 20 shillings a week.Mr Bryceson, who was born in St Marylebone in 1826, worked as a clerk at Lea's coal wharf in Pimlico, earning 20 shillings a week.
He eventually became a successful accountant, married and had a daughter and three sons, and died in 1891, aged 85, in Mile End, east London. He eventually became a successful accountant, married and had a daughter and three sons, and died in 1911, aged 85, in Mile End, east London.
Councillor Ed Argar, who is in charge of Westminster's libraries, said: "Nathaniel Bryceson's diary provides a captivating window into Victorian society and the trials and tribulations of a young man as he makes way through life.Councillor Ed Argar, who is in charge of Westminster's libraries, said: "Nathaniel Bryceson's diary provides a captivating window into Victorian society and the trials and tribulations of a young man as he makes way through life.
"What comes across is that despite more than 150 years of history, human nature remains pretty much a constant.""What comes across is that despite more than 150 years of history, human nature remains pretty much a constant."