Summary
Overview
Besant, Walter, Sir, 1836-1901.
Sir Walter Besant Correspondence
Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections
Manuscripts Division
One Washington Road
Princeton, New Jersey 08544 USA
Abstract
Sir Walter Besant was a late nineteenth-century English novelist and historian. This collection consists of letters written and received by Besant, including some from notable English literary figures.
Description
Description
This collection consists of approximately 100 letters by Besant to his publisher, Chatto & Windus (London), from 1881 to 1901; 9 letters, 1891-1901, to Lord Monkswell; and various letters, 1876-1901, written and received by Besant, partly in his capacity as one of the founders (1884) of the Society of Authors, from a variety of correspondents, including Sir Henry Irving, Herbert Spencer, Andrew Lang, and Hall Caine. There are also several letters of others, including a letter by Theodore Watts-Dunton to Lady Besant.
Collection Creator
Biography
Sir Walter Besant was a late nineteenth-century English novelist and historian. Born in Portsea in 1836, Besant attended King’s College in London and later, Christ’s College at Cambridge. After graduating from Christ’s in 1859, Besant became a senior professor at the Royal College in Mauritius. He returned to London in 1867 to pursue a career in writing, and he wrote several successful works of non-fiction before turning to novels. Besant was active in the London literary community; he formed a Rabelais Club to promote discussion among London authors; was active in the construction of a “People’s Palace” that contained schools, a gymnasium, and a library for the use of the poor; and founded the Society of Authors to protect writers against exploitation. He died in 1901.
Collection History
Acquisition
Purchased from David Holmes, Diana J. Rendell Inc., Bart Auerbach, Henry Briston, Farahan and Dupre, and John Watson Ltd. in 1992-2000. Letter on Palestine Exploration Fund is gift of Mark Samuels Lesner.
Custodial History
This is an open collection to which purchases are added from time to time.
Processing Information
Biography written by Jessica Marati, '08.
Access and Use
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research use.
Use Restrictions
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Associate University Librarian for Rare Books and Special Collections. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
Preferred Citation
Sir Walter Besant Correspondence; 1876-1901, Manuscripts Division, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
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