The letters of John Murray to Lord Byron

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This is a critical edition of the collected letters of John Murray to Lord Byron whose works he published. These letters have never been published before, nor indeed (except in rare instances) has access to them ever been granted. They tell us a great deal about Byron's works and the manner of their publication, and about the aims, literary interest and vicissitudes of his publisher. They reveal the very special (indeed intimate) relationship - unique in the annals of publishing - that existed between the two men, both on a personal level and in their professional and artistic capacities. They show, for instance, to what extent Byron was amenable to Murray's suggestions as to alterations and revisions in his poetry, and how far Murray was prompted to publish works by authors at Byron's recommendation (Coleridge's 'Kubla Khan' and 'Christabel' owe their publication to just such a recommendation). Besides illuminating many other details of historical and literary interest, they throw considerable light on publishing practice at the time, on Murray's relations with fellow publishers (Blackwood and Constable in Edinburgh and Galignani in Paris, for instance), and with numerous other authors (such as Austen, Hogg, Hunt, Washington Irving, Scott, Madame de Stael), not to mention the vast circle of literati, scientists, travellers and politicians who frequented his drawing room.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Acknowledgements
• Preface
• Editorial Introduction
• Abbreviations
• Chronology
• Plates
• The Letters
• Part I Murray to Byron in England (1811-16)
• Part II Murray to Byron abroad (1816-22)
• Appendix A How Murray became Byron's Publisher
• Appendix B The Newspaper Attacks on Byron in 1814
• Appendix C Sale Catalogue (1813)
• Select Bibliography
• Index A Murray and Byron
• Index B General Index

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

This handsome volume deserves a cascade of superlatives, beginning with "This is the most important contribution to Byron studies in many decades." Founder of the major London publishing house that bore his name, Murray published Byron's works between 1811 and 1822, when their intimate friendship ended abruptly, on a bitter note. These informative letters have never been published before and only rarely have scholars been allowed to see them. Murray was always deferential toward Byron the aristocrat, and sometimes sycophantic, but with respect to literary matters he did not hesitate to offer advice--especially about religion--and Byron often took it. Readers will learn much about the often fragile relationship between author and editor, the complex workings of a thriving publishing house, and above all the astonishing literary scene at a time when Blake, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats, Shelley, Scott, and Austen, among others, were active. Murray knew everyone, and the letters brim with social and cultural references that cry out for context and explanation. Nicholson supplies that in the learned, illuminating annotations that follow most of the letters and that are almost beyond praise. The volume includes 18 illustrations (mainly portraits) and three appendixes. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty. N. Fruman emeritus, University of Minnesota