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.

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.