The William Hutton Papers relate primarily to geology and botany, and there is also much on the Newcastle Natural History Society, of which Hutton was the secretary. There is much correspondence with Alexandre Brongniart, H. S. Davis, John S. Henslow, John Lindley, David Milne, Roderick I. Murchison, George Steuart MacKenzie, and John Phillips.

These are copies in an unknown hand [the name "Meriel Nevill Watt" appears in the front of the volume] of letters, primarily from Ellis, that were published in the "Philosophical Transactions" of the Royal Society in London. Most relate to botanical topics, and many are written to Peter Collinson. A few are written by Peter Woulfe. Included are contemporary engravings from the "Transactions," as well as original wash drawings copied from the engravings.

This volume, written between May 3 and December 2, includes essays on mineralogy, the vegetable kingdom (such as botany and fruitification), and the animal kingdom (such as zoology, ornithology, and generation of animals).

This is a miscellaneous collection of letters, and a few documents, concerning botany, gardening, agriculture, Darwin and evolution, and the herbarium at the University of Edinburgh.

This collection includes letters from, and drafts of letters to, scientists, artists, musicians, soldiers, political figures, and court personages throughout Europe, especially Italy and France. Topics covered range from personal and social affairs to agriculture, botany, geology, natural history, coinage, museum management, politics, weights and measures, current affairs. The collection also includes four diaries, housed separately with manuscript volumes.

There is correspondence concerning geology, botany, natural history, natural selection, evolution, British science and scientists, and other scientific topics. Most of the letters are written by Lyell, with a very few items by others.