SIR THEODORE MARTIN - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 02/23/1904 - HFSID 73064

SIR THEODORE MARTIN
Poet Sir Theodore Martin wrote this letter in 1904 to decline an interview: "I make no pretension to the character of a literary man, and want what remains of my old age to pass away quietly & unnoticed." He wrote a biography of Prince Albert and a book of reminiscence of Queen Victoria.
Autograph Letter signed: "Theodore Martin", 2p with blank integral leaf, 4½x7. London, 1904 February 23. On black-bordered mourning paper to James A. Craig. In full: "Sir I hope you will not think me ungracious in declining an interview with you. I have uniformly refused all similar applications. My life presents no features of public interest, and my literary doings have only been the casual labours of my spare hours, [illegible] from the engrossing [illegible] of a busy professional life. I make no pretension to the character of a literary man, and want what remains of my old age to pass away quietly & unnoticed. If I mistake not, a notice of me of considerable length appeared in your excellent Journal. I am Sir Yours truly". Slightly soiled. Otherwise, fine condition. Accompanied by unsigned photo of Martin by Elliott & Fry (sepiatone, 4x6). Silvered. Lightly creased. ¾-inch tear at center of right edge. Martin (1816-1919), born and educated in Scotland, practiced law in London but made his reputation as a translator of poetry from Danish, German (Goethe) and Latin (Horace). At Queen Victoria's request, he undertook a 5-volume biography of the late Prince Albert, published 1874-1880. He became a close confidant of the Queen, and later wrote a volume of reminiscences, Queen Victoria as I Knew Her, published privately in 1902 and publicly, with King Edward VII's permission, in 1908. Martin married Shakespearean actress Helena Faucit (1817-1898) in 1851. Two items.