RICHARD MONCKTON (1ST BARON HOUGHTON) MILNES - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 09/28/1844 - HFSID 73374

RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES, 1ST BARON HOUGHTON

The nineteenth-century British literature figure agrees to support a charitable cause, signs name in black ink

Autograph letter signed: "R.M. Milnes" in black ink. 2 pages integral leaf, 4½x7¼ folded. Written on Yorkshire Club letterhead. Fryston Hall, Yorkshire, England. September 28, 1844. In full: "My dear Sir, I shall be most happy to add my name to do honour in any way to the memory of B.L. Pen. I fear my contribution must be limited to 2£2 - being engaged to bery many local activities. Yours very truly". Richard Monckton Milnes, 1st Baron Houghton (1809-1885) was an English poet, literature patron, and politician. While attending Cambridge, Milnes joined the socially and artistically progressive Apostles Club, which included members such as Alfred Tennyson and Arthur Henry Hallam. They involved themselves in issues such as copyright and the establishments of juvenile reformatories. His early work, mostly reflective poetry reminiscent of Wordsworth, led many people to regard him as one of the most promising writers of his generation, with books such as Memorials of a Tour in Some Parts of Greece (1834), Memorials of a Residence on the Continent and Historical Poems (1838), Poems of Many Years (1840), and Palm Leaves (1844) earning him recognition. However, Milnes' legacy was his standing as a generous and discriminating patron of writers; he published Life, Letters, and Literary Remains of John Keats (1848), helped Tennyson secure a pension, and popularized the writing of Ralph Waldo Emerson in England. Since his death, he has become known for his massive collection of erotic literature, including the first serious collection of the works of the Marquis de Sade. Normal mailing folds. Toned. Creased throughout. Corners gently worn. Small ink stains in several places. Otherwise, fine condition.