The Rashleigh-Holt White Collection

10th April-31st May

Rashleigh Holt-White (1850-1930) was Gilbert White’s first biographer and published his Life & Letters of Gilbert White in 1901. Rashleigh was a descendant of Gilbert’s brother Thomas, and his work on Gilbert White’s life is invaluable to our understanding of Gilbert White’s life today.

In this display in the Discovery Room we will display some of Rashleigh Holt-White’s books and notes which have never been displayed before to get an insight into a man who is so integral to Gilbert White’s legacy.

Entry free with admission

    Gilbert Whites House

    Gilbert White was aged 7 or 8 when the White family moved from the Vicarage on Selborne’s Plestor, to this house, called ‘The Wakes’ (named after the Wake family who had lived here previously). At that time, the property would have been no more than a ‘two up, two down’ but over subsequent years several extensions and additions have been made, creating the long, sizeable house you see today.

    The rooms have been restored following descriptions in White’s own correspondence and include a chair he used at Oriel College, Oxford (loaned from the College), items of contemporary furniture, family portraits and bed hangings embroidered for him by his aunts.

    Learn more