William Sotheby letters, 1813-1858

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Summary

Creators:
Sotheby, William, 1757-1833
Abstract:
Letters belonging to English poet and translator William Sotheby.
Extent:
4.5 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. William Sotheby letters, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists primarily of letters addressed to William Sotheby, mostly from literary friends. Subject matter includes William Sotheby and his writings, contemporary writers and his friends, and European travel. The collection also contains five poems by Sotheby. Correspondents in the collection include: Joanna Baillie, Anna Barbauld, Sarah Bartley, Sir George Beaumont, Mary Berry, Lady Dacre, Catherine Bury, Lord Byron, Thomas Campbell, Duchess of Devonshire, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, James Fenimore Cooper, Sir Humphry Davy, Sir William Drummond, Peter Elmsley, Sir Henry Charles Englefield, Catherine Maria Fanshawe, Thomas Grosvenor, Arthur Henry Hallam, Henry Hallam, William Howley, Alexander von Humboldt, Washington Irving, George Lamb, Sir Thomas Lawrence, J.G. Lockhart, Sarah Siddons, Mary Somerville, Robert Southey, Agnes Strickland, François Talma, John Taylor, Dawson Turner, John Wilson, and William Wordsworth.

Biographical / historical:

William Sotheby was an English poet and translator. He was born in London in 1757 to a wealthy family. He was educated at Harlow School and the Military Academy in Angers, France. He joined the army at 17 and served for several years before retiring and turning to his literary career. Sotheby married Mary Isted in 1780; they had seven kids. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1794. His works include: A song of triumph on the peace, 1814; Five tragedies, 1814; Farewell to Italy, and occasional poems, 1818; and Poems, 1825.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Bernard Quaritch Ltd, 1956.
Custodial history:

Formerly mounted in a large quarto album belonging to Charles William Hamilton Sotheby (1820-1871), the author's grandson.

Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library staff in 1956. In 2022, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.

Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series: 1. Correspondence; 2. Photographs, engraved portraits, and ephemera.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. William Sotheby letters, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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