THEODORE E. HOOK - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 04/28/1819 - HFSID 296203

THEODORE E. HOOK
The British author requests a short delay during his 5-year ordeal of investigation by the Audit Board.
Autograph Letter signed: "Theodore E. Hook", 1 page, 7½x9 London, 1819 April 28. Docketed on integral leaf.To "G. W. Grande, Esq.", in full: "I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's date and beg that you will be pleased to state to the Board that having applied to the Secretary [name illegible] for the documents to which I referred last Thursday, and not having yet secured them, I should wish to delay the resumption of my examination for a day or two till I obtain them, as I consider they may throw some light upon the subject which I am most anxious to make clear and to which that examination most particularly referred. I have the honor to be sir your most obedient servant". Theodore Hook (1788-1841), the son of popular songwriter James Hook, starred in comic operas and other musical entertainments from age 16. He was also a renowned playboy and practical joker. In 1812, royal patronage secured him the office of Treasurer of Mauritius, but in 1817 an audit revealed theft by one of his deputies, and Hook was held responsible for the missing funds. Recalled to London, he was cleared of criminal charges but subjected to a 5-year inquiry by the Audit Board, held liable for the debt, and briefly imprisoned when unable to pay it. Despite his financial woes, Hook founded a very successful journal, John Bull, through which he gained a great reputation as a Tory satirist. Several novels followed, racy and semi-autobiographical, making Hook the best-selling British novelist prior to Charles Dickens. Multiple mailing folds. Toned and creased. Corners worn. Stained at top left corner. Worn at folds. Otherwise, fine condition.