The Peter Strickland Papers consists of 20 volumes which span the career of this Connecticut shipmaster, merchant, and diplomat from 1864 through 1922.

Strickland's personal diary, in six volumes, is a day-by-day account of his activities between 1894 and 1920. However, the bulk of the entries are for the period after 1907.

Perhaps of greatest value is a set of letterbooks, 1883-1922, containing information about Strickland's daily life in Africa, business, social and political conditions there, and numerous other topics. The tobacco and cotton trades are discussed extensively as Strickland identifies reasons for the status of current and future transactions in both products. The movements of many vessels are noted, mostly steamers carrying passengers and cargo into Goree-Dakar.

A business ledger is included along with a booklet entitled, "Grammar of the Joluf Language", published in 1878. There is also an 1883 consular report and a volume entitled, "Trading Monopolies in West Africa". published 1901.

In addition to its obvious importance as a major source for the study of international colonial trade in West Africa, this collection provides an intensive look into the public and private life of a successful businessman and public servant in the final years of the 19th century.

The 20 volumes which comprise the Peter Strickland Collection have been read and indexed. The volume descriptions section contains thorough descriptions for each volume, and includes for some a list of vessel, individual, and commercial names found in that volume. In addition a calendar of letters has been created for volumes 11-16.