Bergenroth, Gustav Adolf l Bergenroth l, 1813-1869, historical scholar. Born in East Prussia. Educated at Univ. of Königsberg, Lost his civil service post during political reaction following the revolutionary outbreak of 1848; helped Gottfried Kinkel escape from Spandau, then left Germany for California; returned to Europe, 1851. In 1857 began study of Tudor history, utilizing first the materials available in England, then proceeding to Spain to examine the archives at Simancas; mastered the intricate ciphers and triumphed over obstacles placed in his way by the Spanish archivists; in 1862 brought out a calendar of the documents relating to English affairs from 1485 to 1509, prefaced by "a brilliant review of the relations between England and Spain during the period" (D.N.B.); continued the work in a second volume, 1866; published also a supplemental volume, 1868. Contributed to Fraser's and Athenaeum.

 
     Bergenroth's H.W. article ["The First Vigilance Committees (lead) XIV, 409-416. Nov. 15, 1856], describing conditions in California in 1850 and 1851 that led to the organization of vigilance committees, was his first published writing in English. Dickens had in his library a copy of Cartwright's memorial sketch of Bergenroth (Stonehouse, Catalogue). 
                                                         D.N.B.

Author: Anne Lohrli; © University of Toronto Press, 1971.