WILLIAM ROSE BENET - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 05/01/1928 - HFSID 72973

WILLIAM ROSE BENET
The Saturday Review editor and poet sends a letter to family friend and signs his name in black ink
Autograph letter signed: "William Rose Benet" in black ink. 2 pages, 5½x8½. Written on personalized "The Saturday Review" letterhead. Original envelope included. May 1, 1928. New York City, New York. Addressed to Mrs. Wainwright, in full: "Elinor is now in London at 9 Cheltenham Terrace, S.W. 3. (Chelsea), but she requested me to write you (before she sailed) her acceptance of your kind invitation to speak at the century Club next winter for a fee of two hundred dollars and expenses. I feel sure she can do it in November, wither the 15th or the 22nd. I should love to come with her, but, - alas! - I fear the Fall Book Season will have swamped me by then. It is very kind of you to ask me. My father died recently, & this, and a press of detail in regard to her recent novel & new book of poems to appear in June, & arrangements for her summer in England, really caused us both to forget many other things. Elinor has told me so many times how lovely you were to her, that may I take this occasion to voice my appreciation? I know she would be delighted to hear from you, & she told me to thank you so much for you kindness which she truly appreciates. Very truly yours". William Rose Benet(1886-1950), the brother of poet Stephen Vincent Benet (1898-1943) and husband of poet and novelist Elinor Wylie (1885-1928), founded the "Saturday Review of Literature" (1924), editing it until his death. He was also an accomplished poet, winning the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry (1942) for "The Dust Which is God." Elinor Wylie, suffering from Bright's disease aggravated by a bad fall, died of a stroke on December 16, 1928. Benet edited and published her final volume of poetry. Normal mailing folds. Slightly toned. Corners rounded. Otherwise, fine condition.