RICHARD MONCKTON (1ST BARON HOUGHTON) MILNES - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 11/25 - HFSID 73376

RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES, 1ST BARON HOUGHTON

The British literary patron sends over information to a colleague about the "strange little girl" who held much fascination to the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, signs name in black ink

Autograph Letter signed: "Houghton" in black ink, 1p front and verso, 4½x7 folded. Original envelope included. Fryston Hall, Yorkshire, England. In part: "I send you the story of the strange little girl in whom Walter Scott was much interested - which you would most aptly illustrate. I think you would find intact portraits of all the Edinburgh society of that time with Walter Scott at the head". 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 and stained throughout. Corners gently worn. Otherwise, fine condition.