Horace Walpole, 1734-04-16 - 1770-09-17

Sub-Series

Reference Code: GBR/1058/GRA/3/4

Scope and Contents

From the Fonds:

The collection consists of Thomas Gray's commonplace books and diaries (1755 and 1760) as well as letters from Gray to George Ashby, George Birkett, James Brown and Horace Walpole. There is also other Gray manuscript material including school work and miscellaneous notes. The College has also collected images of Gray and research into him (GBR/1058/GRA/6 and 8).

Dates

Creation: 1734-04-16 - 1770-09-17

Creator

From the Fonds: Gray, Thomas, 1716-1771 (poet and literary scholar) (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Horatio, or Horace Walpole was born in London in 1717 and met Thomas Gray whilst they were both at Eton. They moved to Cambridge together, Gray entering Peterhouse, Wapole King's College. In 1739 Walpole and Gray set off for their Grand Tour of Europe. After time in France and Italy they separated in May 1741, returning to England separately. Walpole returned to England having been elected MP for Callington in Cornwall. He would hold various parliamentary seats throughout his life. In November 1745 a lasting reconciliation with Gray took place, for reasons which remain obscure. Their correspondence resumed and they remained friends. Walpole died in 1797.

Extent

1 volume(s)

104 item(s)

Additional Description

Former reference

LC II 90

Physical Description

The letters are bound into 1 volume with a manuscript list of contents at the beginning and some manuscript notes on the collection, written by Walpole himself The volume also contains some further manuscript items by Gray, listed in GBR/1058/GRA/4.

General

This volume was exhibitited as part of the Festival of Britian Exhibition of Books, 1951, arranged by the National Book League and held at the Victoria and Albert Museum, exhibit number 732.