Identity area
Reference code
Wordsworth/Folder 1-22/Folder 1-20/Folder 1/1
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 21 Dec. 1815 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
3 p. paper
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Admitted at St John's 1787, BA 1791. Credited with ushering in the English Romantic Movement with the publication of 'Lyrical Ballads' (1798) in collaboration with Samuel Taylor Coleridge. About 1798 he started to write a large and philosophical autobiographical poem, completed in 1805, and published posthumously in 1850 under the title 'The Prelude'. Published 'Poems in two volumes' in 1807. Poet Laureate 1843-50.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Purchased from Messrs Bernard Quaritch, November 1974. It would appear from the catalogue of a Sotheby's sale of 1972 that after the death of Haydon's grandaughter the MS was acquired by Maurice Buxton Forman, whose father, Henry Buxton Forman, the editor of Keats, had been friendly with Haydon's sons. On Maurice Forman's death it passed into the possession of his daughter, Mrs Madeleine Buxton Holmes, on whose behalf it was auctioned at Sotheby's on 27 June 1972 as Item 417.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Writes to fulfil his promise to send the first poem he composed on his arrival home. Regrets that engagements constantly call him away from Rydale Mount and his writing. Sympathises with Haydon's loss of sight which impedes his painting. Expresses his lack of surprise at Canova's appreciation of the Elgin Marbles. Gives his opinion of the works of Abbe Winkelman on the strength of a short treatise, 'Reflections concerning the imitation of the Grecian artists in painting and sculpture'. Describes the three sonnets which follow. Sends 'Mrs W's' kindest remembrances. Informs him that 'Miss H' is absent.
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Script of material
Language and script notes
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Allied materials area
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Publication note
Ernest De Selincourt (ed.), revised by Mary Moorman and Alan G. Hill, 'The Letters of William and Dorothy Wordsworth: Volume III The Middle Years Part II 1812-1820' (1970) p. 257-8.
The Eagle LXVII (1975) 14-16.