Diarist Thomas Raikes (1777–1848) was an Old Etonian whose social world included some of the most influential people of his day. Raikes was no politician - he had an established reputation as a 'dandy' - and he spent much of his time in gentlemen's clubs in London, especially the Carlton and White's. He was ostensibly employed by his father, a merchant and later governor of the Bank of England, and was married with four children. His reputation as a man about town was confirmed by the posthumous publication of these diary extracts, in four volumes from 1856 to 1857; they focus on his time abroad, mostly in Paris, but also in Prussia and Italy. His wide acquaintance among politicians made him a close observer of British and international political affairs, such as the Reform Bill of 1832 and the abolition of slavery in the West Indies.
Contents
Volume 1: Preface; London, 6th January, 1832–Paris, 30th December, 1834. Volume 2: Paris, 1st January, 1835–Paris, 29th June, 1836. volume 3: Paris, 1st July, 1836–Paris, 31st December, 1839. Volume 4: Paris, 31st January, 1840–Paris, 22nd April, 1847; Index.
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