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First digital edition in TEI, date: 22 May 2014. P5.Edition made with help from photos taken by Digital Mitford editors. Digital Mitford photo files: DSCN6108.jpg, DSCN6109.jpg, DSCN6110.jpg, DSCN6111.jpg, .
Digital Mitford Letters: The Mary Russell Mitford Archive
Repository: The John Rylands University Library. Shelf mark: JRL English MS 665 no. 6 Coles no. 17
Quarto sheet of paper (likely torn from folio sheet folded in half to form four quarto pages) with correspondence on 1 and address leaf on page 2, then folded in thirds twice more and sealed for posting.Address leaf bearing two postmarks: one black and illegible; one red circular with crown readingHands other than Mitford's noted on this manuscript:
Maintained by: Elisa E. Beshero-Bondar (eeb4 at psu.edu) Last modified: 2024-11-21T13:56:20.855231Z
he is a friendly man—& he may be a very friendly one & yet hesitate to embroil himself in a harassing business of this sort—there are not many persons like our one kindest friend—Mr. TaylorJohn Taylor | Born: 1757. Died: 1832.
Began his career in London as an oculist; Mary Robinson dedicates her poem Sight to him. Early in his career, he served as editor of the Morning Post newspaper and was a member of the Della Cruscan literary circle as well as the Whig political circles around the Prince of Wales, Charles James Fox, and Richard Sheridan. His memoir, Records of my Life (1832), is an important source of information regarding literary and theatrical activities in London between the 1780s and 1830s. During Mitford's time, he was proprietor of the conservative London Sun newspaper and a theatrical patron. George Mitford recommends Taylor as a possible friend who might interest Henry Harris, manager of Covent Garden Theatre, in producing Foscari.
—lmw
's good humoured zeal I do not doubt for an instant—but I have no great notion of his power.—he is just the sort of man to have worn out his interests fifty Plays ago. My FatherGeorge Mitford, Esq., or:
George Midford
| Born: . Died: .
Father of Mary Rusell Mitford, George Mitford was the son of Francis Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. The family name is sometimes recorded as Midford
. Immediate family called him by nicknames including Drum
, Tod
, and Dodo
. He was a member of a minor branch of the Mitfords of Mitford Castle in Northumberland. Although later sources would suggest that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school, there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree and he did not generally refer to himself as Dr. Mitford
, preferring to style himself Esq.
. In 1784, he is listed in a Hampshire directory as surgeon (medicine)
of Alresford. His father and grandfather worked as apothecary-surgeons and it seems likely that he served a medical apprenticeship with family members.
He married Mary Russell on October 17, 1785 at New Alresford, Hampshire. On the marriage allegation papers, both gave their addresses as Old Alresford; they later came to live
at Broad Street in New Alresford. Their only child to live to adulthood,
Mary Russell Mitford, was born two years
later on December 16, 1787 at New
Alresford, Hampshire. He assisted Mitford's literary career by representing her interests in London and elsewhere with theater owners and publishers. He was active in Whig politics and later served as a local magistrate. He coursed greyhounds with his friend James Webb.
—lmw again says that I under-rateunderrate both their interests & perhaps I may. Would it be worth while worthwhilethat PapaGeorge Mitford, Esq., or:
George Midford
| Born: . Died: .
Father of Mary Rusell Mitford, George Mitford was the son of Francis Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. The family name is sometimes recorded as Midford
. Immediate family called him by nicknames including Drum
, Tod
, and Dodo
. He was a member of a minor branch of the Mitfords of Mitford Castle in Northumberland. Although later sources would suggest that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school, there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree and he did not generally refer to himself as Dr. Mitford
, preferring to style himself Esq.
. In 1784, he is listed in a Hampshire directory as surgeon (medicine)
of Alresford. His father and grandfather worked as apothecary-surgeons and it seems likely that he served a medical apprenticeship with family members.
He married Mary Russell on October 17, 1785 at New Alresford, Hampshire. On the marriage allegation papers, both gave their addresses as Old Alresford; they later came to live
at Broad Street in New Alresford. Their only child to live to adulthood,
Mary Russell Mitford, was born two years
later on December 16, 1787 at New
Alresford, Hampshire. He assisted Mitford's literary career by representing her interests in London and elsewhere with theater owners and publishers. He was active in Whig politics and later served as a local magistrate. He coursed greyhounds with his friend James Webb.
—lmw should come to TownLondon, England | London | England |
51.5073509 -0.12775829999998223
Capital city of England and the United Kingdom; one the oldest
cities in Western Europe. Major seaport and global trading center at the mouth
of the Thames. From 1831 to 1925, the
largest city in the world.—lmw & try what can be done by an union of forces?—Perhaps if Mr. MacreadyWilliam Charles Macready | Born: 1793-03-03 in London, England. Died: 1873-04-27 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England.
English actor, one of the most prominent tragedians of his era. He appeared at Covent Garden and Drury Lane Theatres in London and also toured the United States. He appeared in Sheridan Knowles's William Tell, Byron's Sardanapolus, and Bulwer-Lytton's Money (1840), as well as in many Shakespearean roles. He also managed both Covent Garden and Drury Lane Theatres. In his role as actor-manager, Macready was a correspondent and collaborator with Mary Russell Mitford. The first play on which they worked was Mitford's Julian. Mitford dedicated to Macready the print edition of Julian: To William Charles Macready, Esq., with high esteem for those endowments which have cast new lustre on his art; with warm admiration for those powers which have inspired, and that taste which has fostered the tragic dramatists of his age; with heartfelt gratitude for the zeal with which he befriended the production of a stranger, for the judicious alterations which he suggested, and for the energy, the pathos, and the skill with which he more than emhodied its principal character; this tragedy is most respectfully dedicated by the author.
Macready retired from the stage in 1851.
—lmw
should be returned without the two plays which the newspapers talked [gap: 1 word, reason: torn.][of]—& would have the goodness to present mine & Mr. TaylorJohn Taylor | Born: 1757. Died: 1832.
Began his career in London as an oculist; Mary Robinson dedicates her poem Sight to him. Early in his career, he served as editor of the Morning Post newspaper and was a member of the Della Cruscan literary circle as well as the Whig political circles around the Prince of Wales, Charles James Fox, and Richard Sheridan. His memoir, Records of my Life (1832), is an important source of information regarding literary and theatrical activities in London between the 1780s and 1830s. During Mitford's time, he was proprietor of the conservative London Sun newspaper and a theatrical patron. George Mitford recommends Taylor as a possible friend who might interest Henry Harris, manager of Covent Garden Theatre, in producing Foscari.
—lmw
[gap: 2 words, reason: torn.][& Mr.]RobinsGeorge Henry Robins | Born: 1777-05-29 in London, England. Died: 1847-02-08 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.
Auctioneer and theater patron. Acquaintance of
Byron, Sheridan, and J.P. Kemble.
—lmw & Mr. QuayleMr. Quayle
Quayle
Mr.
Mr. Quale
Mentioned in Mitford’s letters of November 6 and 16
1821 as a friend willing to help in Mitford’s theatrical aspirations. Surname
spelled in the letter of November 16 as Quale. Forename unknown. Not identified
in Coles. Needs further research.
—lmw's friend to support it at the same [gap: 1 word, reason: torn.][time?—] there might at least be a greater chance of a [gap: 3 words, reason: torn.][hearing if not]of success. Shall he come? I suppose Mr. RobinsGeorge Henry Robins | Born: 1777-05-29 in London, England. Died: 1847-02-08 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.
Auctioneer and theater patron. Acquaintance of
Byron, Sheridan, and J.P. Kemble.
—lmw[gap: 1 word, reason: torn.][will] return to TownLondon, England | London | England |
51.5073509 -0.12775829999998223
Capital city of England and the United Kingdom; one the oldest
cities in Western Europe. Major seaport and global trading center at the mouth
of the Thames. From 1831 to 1925, the
largest city in the world.—lmw about tomorrow week—& by that time we may have heard something from Mr. MilmanHenry Hart Milman, Very Reverend, or:
Very Reverend
| Born: 1791-02-10 in London, England. Died: 1868-09-24 in London, England.
After a brilliant career at Brasenose College, Oxford, Milman was ordained into the Church of England in 1816 and became parish priest of St Mary's, Reading, in 1818, where he became acquainted with Mary Russell Mitford. Mitford mentions Milman's literary, critical, and editing work in her correspondence and indicates that he made written suggestions on the manuscript of Foscari in 1821. Milman was elected professor of poetry at Oxford in 1821; Sir Robert Peel made him Rector of St Margaret's, Westminster, and Canon of Westminster in 1835, and in 1849 he became Dean of St Paul's. He published poetry, several tragedies, and hymns, as well as translations of Euripides, and an edition of Horace. He also wrote several important histories, including
History of the Jews
(1829),
History of Christianity to the Abolition of Paganism in the Roman Empire
(1840), and
History of Latin Christianity
(1855); he also edited Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire and published a Life of Gibbon (1838, 1839). Milman was buried in St Paul's Cathedral.—lmw
. At the same time if you have any favorable opportunity—or if you see any sort of objection to this plan—pray pursue your own—I have a thousand times more confidence in you than in all the Mr. TaylorJohn Taylor | Born: 1757. Died: 1832.
Began his career in London as an oculist; Mary Robinson dedicates her poem Sight to him. Early in his career, he served as editor of the Morning Post newspaper and was a member of the Della Cruscan literary circle as well as the Whig political circles around the Prince of Wales, Charles James Fox, and Richard Sheridan. His memoir, Records of my Life (1832), is an important source of information regarding literary and theatrical activities in London between the 1780s and 1830s. During Mitford's time, he was proprietor of the conservative London Sun newspaper and a theatrical patron. George Mitford recommends Taylor as a possible friend who might interest Henry Harris, manager of Covent Garden Theatre, in producing Foscari.
—lmw
s & Mr. RobinsGeorge Henry Robins | Born: 1777-05-29 in London, England. Died: 1847-02-08 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.
Auctioneer and theater patron. Acquaintance of
Byron, Sheridan, and J.P. Kemble.
—lmw's in Christendom & had rather of the two that my dear sanguine fatherGeorge Mitford, Esq., or:
George Midford
| Born: . Died: .
Father of Mary Rusell Mitford, George Mitford was the son of Francis Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. The family name is sometimes recorded as Midford
. Immediate family called him by nicknames including Drum
, Tod
, and Dodo
. He was a member of a minor branch of the Mitfords of Mitford Castle in Northumberland. Although later sources would suggest that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school, there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree and he did not generally refer to himself as Dr. Mitford
, preferring to style himself Esq.
. In 1784, he is listed in a Hampshire directory as surgeon (medicine)
of Alresford. His father and grandfather worked as apothecary-surgeons and it seems likely that he served a medical apprenticeship with family members.
He married Mary Russell on October 17, 1785 at New Alresford, Hampshire. On the marriage allegation papers, both gave their addresses as Old Alresford; they later came to live
at Broad Street in New Alresford. Their only child to live to adulthood,
Mary Russell Mitford, was born two years
later on December 16, 1787 at New
Alresford, Hampshire. He assisted Mitford's literary career by representing her interests in London and elsewhere with theater owners and publishers. He was active in Whig politics and later served as a local magistrate. He coursed greyhounds with his friend James Webb.
—lmw were out of the affair. Oh dear me. [del: .]What a sad trouble I am to you!—Can you forgive me?
Mr. Newberry will call or send on or before Friday for the two Nos of the EncyclopediaEncyclopedia Metropolitana; or, Universal Dictionary of Knowledge (30
vols., 1817-1845). —I will take the greatest care of them.—I am ashamed of this tremendous letter—my FatherGeorge Mitford, Esq., or:
George Midford
| Born: . Died: .
Father of Mary Rusell Mitford, George Mitford was the son of Francis Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. The family name is sometimes recorded as Midford
. Immediate family called him by nicknames including Drum
, Tod
, and Dodo
. He was a member of a minor branch of the Mitfords of Mitford Castle in Northumberland. Although later sources would suggest that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school, there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree and he did not generally refer to himself as Dr. Mitford
, preferring to style himself Esq.
. In 1784, he is listed in a Hampshire directory as surgeon (medicine)
of Alresford. His father and grandfather worked as apothecary-surgeons and it seems likely that he served a medical apprenticeship with family members.
He married Mary Russell on October 17, 1785 at New Alresford, Hampshire. On the marriage allegation papers, both gave their addresses as Old Alresford; they later came to live
at Broad Street in New Alresford. Their only child to live to adulthood,
Mary Russell Mitford, was born two years
later on December 16, 1787 at New
Alresford, Hampshire. He assisted Mitford's literary career by representing her interests in London and elsewhere with theater owners and publishers. He was active in Whig politics and later served as a local magistrate. He coursed greyhounds with his friend James Webb.
—lmw & MotherMary Russell Mitford, or: Mrs. Mitford | Born: 1750 in Ashe, Hampshire, England. Died: 1830-01-02 in Three Mile Cross, parish of Shinfield, Berkshire,
England.
Mary Russell was the youngest child of
the Rev. Dr. Richard Russell and
his second wife, Mary Dicker; she was born about 1750 in Ashe, Hampshire. (Her
birth date is as yet unverified; period sources indicate that she was ten years
older than her husband George, born in 1760.) Through the Russells, she was a
distant relation of the Dukes of Bedford (sixth creation, 1694). She had two
siblings, Charles William and Frances; both predeceased her and their parents,
which resulted in Mary Russell inheriting
her family’s entire estate upon her mother’s death in 1785. Her father’s rectory in Ashe was only a
short distance from Steventon, and so she was acquainted
with the young Jane Austen. She married
George Mitford or Midford on October 17, 1785 at New Alresford,
Hampshire. On the marriage allegation papers, both gave their
addresses as Old Alresford. Their only daughter,
Mary Russell Mitford, was born two years
later on December 16, 1787 at New
Alresford, Hampshire. Mary
Russell died on January 2, 1830 at
Three Mile Cross in the parish of Shinfield,
Berkshire. Her obituary in the 1830
New
Monthly Magazine gives New Year’s day
as the date of her death.—ajc, lmw
join in kindest remembrances.
authoress,and lists her as living at Three Mile Cross with Kerenhappuch Taylor (lady’s maid), Sarah Chernk (maid-of-all-work), and Samuel Swetman (gardener), after the death of her father. Mitford’s long life and prolific career ended after injuries from a carriage accident. She is buried in Swallowfield churchyard. The executor of her will and her literary executor was the Rev. William Harness and her lady’s maid, Kerenhappuch Taylor Sweetman, was residuary legatee of her estate. —lmw, ebb
Let me know if PapaGeorge Mitford, Esq., or:
George Midford
| Born: . Died: .
Father of Mary Rusell Mitford, George Mitford was the son of Francis Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. The family name is sometimes recorded as Midford
. Immediate family called him by nicknames including Drum
, Tod
, and Dodo
. He was a member of a minor branch of the Mitfords of Mitford Castle in Northumberland. Although later sources would suggest that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school, there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree and he did not generally refer to himself as Dr. Mitford
, preferring to style himself Esq.
. In 1784, he is listed in a Hampshire directory as surgeon (medicine)
of Alresford. His father and grandfather worked as apothecary-surgeons and it seems likely that he served a medical apprenticeship with family members.
He married Mary Russell on October 17, 1785 at New Alresford, Hampshire. On the marriage allegation papers, both gave their addresses as Old Alresford; they later came to live
at Broad Street in New Alresford. Their only child to live to adulthood,
Mary Russell Mitford, was born two years
later on December 16, 1787 at New
Alresford, Hampshire. He assisted Mitford's literary career by representing her interests in London and elsewhere with theater owners and publishers. He was active in Whig politics and later served as a local magistrate. He coursed greyhounds with his friend James Webb.
—lmw shall come.
Patriotshoemaker, Mr. Warry, who brought him from France. Monck was the author of General Reflections on the System of the Poor Laws (1807), in which he argued for a gradual approach to abolishing the Poor Laws, and for the reform of workhouses. Francis Needham claims that it is he who is referred to in Violeting, when the narrator thinks she sees
Mr. and Mrs. M. and dear B.. (
Dear B.would be their son, Bligh.) Dr. Webb’s research suggests that
celebrated shoemakeris Mr. Warry, possibly Joseph Source: Francis Needham, Letter to William Roberts, 26 March 1954. Needham Papers, Reading Central Library.—lmw, ebb, scwLondon, England | London | England | 51.5073509 -0.12775829999998223 Capital city of England and the United Kingdom; one the oldest cities in Western Europe. Major seaport and global trading center at the mouth of the Thames. From 1831 to 1925, the largest city in the world.—lmwLondon