Document information

Physical location:

British Library, Western Manuscripts, Loan 96 RLF 1/628/28. 62.03.24d

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to the Royal Literary Fund, 1862-03-24 [62.03.24d]. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id//letters/1860-9/1862/62-03-24d-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

1
The testimonial is written on the back of an application form for support from the Royal Literary Fund completed, signed and dated 17 March 1862 by James Rennie. The form includes details of Rennie’s life and publications, and is an appeal for support from the fund. M’s testimonial is preceded by one from Henry Barkly, Governor of Victoria. An annotation on p. 1 of the form shows that Rennie was granted £20 from the fund on 9 July 1862.
M did not provide a testimonial to a later application dated 24 June 1867 made from Adelaide (British Library, Western Manuscripts Loan 96 RLF 1/628/34). The form contains a tabulation of seven grants support totaling £160 from the Fund from 1828 to 1862. Rennie died before the 1867 application was considered.
The undersigned most cordially recommends to the favorable consideration of the Gentleman, constituting the Literary Fund Committee, this application of Mr James Rennie, M.A., a meritorious author, who in his now very advanced age
2
Rennie was 75.
deserves more particularly such aid, as your noble Institution provides.
Ferd Mueller
M.D., Ph.D., F.R.S.
Melbourne bot & zool
Garden 24 March 1862