ALFRED COMYN LYALL - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 11/6 - HFSID 73500

ALFRED COMYN LYALL
The nineteenth-century British author and Civil Servant in India writes letter of thanks to an admirer of his Tennyson biography, signs name in black ink
Autograph letter signed: "A.C. Lyall" in black ink. 2 pages integral leaf, 4½x7 folded. November 6, no year. London, England. In full: "Dear Mr. Cockwell - Although you tell me not to reply to your letter, I must write a line to say that it was very welcome, because I am most glad that my [illegible] book has given pleasure to a friend - your appreciation is the most gratifying, because the work was rather difficult, since it is not easy to deal adequately with so well-known a poet, whose life has so recently ended. We are exceedingly grieved at the sudden death of your Mr. Young - and your loss has our most [illegible] sympathy - Believe me, Sincerely yours". Alfred Comyn Lyall (1835-1911) was a British civil servant, literary historian and poet. He began his work in government with the Indian Civil Service in 1856, and would go on to serve a long career in India, working his way to Home Secretary to the Government of India in 1873 and Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in 1878, as well as founding and serving as Chancellor of the University of Allabad. For his service he was made an honorary fellow of King's College in Cambridge, a member of the Privy Council in 1902, Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire in 1887, KC of the Order of Bath in 1881, and KGC of the Order of the Indian Empire in 1895. Lyall is almost remembered for his poetry in books such as Verses Written in India (1889), as well as history books such as The Rise and Expansion of the British Dominion in India (1893), Tennyson (1902), and Studies in Literature and History (1915). Normal mailing folds. Toned. Stains throughout. Ink spots throughout. Creases throughout. Otherwise, fine condition.