Progress update, 5 to 11 November 2011

Welcome to the progress update for the period to 11 November 2011. Before we begin, many apologies for the belated appearance of this update, and in editing last week’s submissions – this was due to both unforeseen circumstances, and my attendance at a seminar on public engagement with archival collections at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth (a lovely part of the world). We’re now back on an even keel!

2,173 manuscripts have now been transcribed, up 28 on last week – a slightly slower week than lately, but given the rate of transcription during the past couple of months it can only be expected! Of these, 1,917 (88%) are complete and locked, an increase of 27 on last week’s total. We are closing in our next landmark, that of being able to lock our 2,000th completed transcript – this should be achieved sometime by late November, all being well.

The state of play for each box is as follows:

• Box 2: 217 manuscripts transcribed of 532 (40%)
• Box 27: 237 of 350 (67%)
• Box 35: 226 of 439 (51%)
• Box 50: 39 of 92 (42%)
• Box 51: 37 of 940 (4%)
• Box 62: 24 of 565 (4%)
• Box 70: 160 of 250 (45%)
• Box 71: 254 of 665 (38%)
• Box 72: 121 of 664 (18%)
• Box 73: 118 of 156 (75%)
• Box 79: 62 of 199 (31%)
• Box 95: 44 of 147 (30%)
• Box 96: 364 of 539 (67%)
• Box 97: 6 of 288 (2%)
• Box 115: 226 of 307 (73%)
• Box 139: 38 of 38 (100%)
• Overall: 38% of the 5,580 manuscripts uploaded to the website have been transcribed thus far.

Boxes 2 and 96 saw the most activity during this week, with 2% of manuscripts from each being transcribed – terrific stuff. Bentham’s Auto-Icon is pulling in the visitors to his newly-refurbished surroundings, with the touch-screen being of particular interest. We hope to be able to show off some high-resolution photographs shortly.

Jeremy himself keeps a blog where he discusses topics as varied as happiness, the laws of robotics, the display of dead bodies (a topic close to his own heart), and convict transportation. His latest missive is clarifying a few misapprehensions regarding his opinions on animal welfare, which you can read here.

Many thanks, as ever, to all those who have taken part during the past week. Your contributions to Transcribe Bentham‘s ongoing success are greatly appreciated.