Frank Kidson (1855-1926) was a recognised authority on early English music, particularly folk song.  He was particularly interested in the historical aspect of this genre and in tracing the pedigree of tunes.

The Kidson Collection is rich in folk songs and dances of Great Britain and Ireland, early English ballad operas and popular music of the 19th century.

Particular items of interest include:

• Straloch manuscript, 1627-1629, in a copy made by Kidson; the original is now lost
• George Thomson's 'Original Scottish Airs' which includes settings by Haydn and Beethoven
• Morley's 'Plaine and Easie Introduction to Practicall Musike', 1597 - the first satisfactory musical treatise published in English
• Playford's 'Dancing Master' - a major source book of British folk dance
• Purcell's 'Orpheus Britannicus' 1698-1702 - the first collection of Purcell's vocal music
• Handel's 'Rinalto', 1711, with title in Italian - only known complete copy of this particular edition
• JC Bach's 'Sonata for guitar with an accompaniment for a violin' - only known copy in the world
• W Thomson's 'Orpheus Caledonius', 1726 - first Scottish song book containing tunes and words of traditional songs
• Neil Gow's 'Collection of Strathspey Reels in 5 volumes' and 'Complete Repository of Strathspeys and dances in 4 volumes'
• Aird's 'Selection of Scotch and Irish and Foreign Airs', 1782-1797, including the first printing of the tune 'Yankee Doodle'
  

Music Collections in The Mitchell