The letters received, rather than collected, are principally addressed either to Richard Peyton or to Charles Harding, relations of Miss Herma Fiedler (donor of the letters) on her mother's side.
Richard Peyton (1825-1910) was a Birmingham businessman, JP, and a patron of music. He endowed the Chair of Music at the University of Birmingham in 1908, and was officially connected with the Birmingham Triennial Musical Festivals between 1858 and 1879. He was also a collector of autograph letters.
Charles Harding (1839-1904) was Herma Fiedler's grandfather. He was a lawyer and Governor of the University of Birmingham.
From the guide to the Letters addressed to, or collected by, the Peyton and Harding families of Birmingham, late 18th-early 20th century, (University of Oxford, Taylor Institution Library)
