Special Collections Department
Thomas Agar Holland
Letters to
George Reid
1845 - 1847
Manuscript Collection Number: 99
F509
Accessioned: Purchase, 1996
Extent: 18 items (.1 ft.)
Content: Letters, poems, and an
essay
Access: The collection is open for research.
Processed: May 1996 by Anita
A. Wellner
Special Collections, University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267
(302) 831-2229
Table of Contents
Biographical Note
British poet and clergyman Thomas Agar Holland was born on January 16, 1803. He was educated at Westminster School and Worcester College, Oxford University, receiving Bachelor of Arts (1825) and Master of Arts (1828) degrees. Before succeeding his father as the rector of Poynings, Sussex, in 1846, he was vicar of Oving, Sussex, and then rector of Greatham, Hampshire.
One of Holland's early poems, "Dryburgh Abbey," which was the title poem of his first published collection, Dryburgh Abbey and Other Poems (1826), received a supportive commendation from Sir Walter Scott. A popular collection, Dryburgh Abbey and Other Poems was reissued in a second edition in 1845 and a much-revised third edition in 1884.
Holland was also the author of published sermons, pamphlets, and a complete history of Poynings, Sussex. Thomas Agar Holland died on October 18, 1888 in Poynings.
Sources:
Stephen, Leslie, Sir and Sir Sidney Lee. The Dictionary of National Biography. Volume IX. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1973. pp. 1053-1054.
Scope and Content Note
These fifteen letters of British poet Thomas Agar Holland were written from Greatham, Hampshire, and Poynings, Sussex, where Holland served as rector, to George Reid who lived in Glasgow. Enclosed with the letters, written between 1845 and 1847, are two autograph poems, a printed supplement of poems, and an essay.
Holland's letters began in 1845 with his acknowledgment of Reid's praise for Dryburgh Abbey and Other Poems, which had just been reprinted. Holland also inquired about Reid and his writing, fulfilled Reid's request for autograph manuscripts of his poems, and thanked Reid for sending reviews of Dryburgh Abbey and for promoting his book with local newspaper editors.
In addition to commenting on his own writing, Holland discussed his objections to Lord Tennyson's poems, reflected on the famines in Ireland and Scotland, requested information on friends with whom he had lost contact, and noted the issues of Church of England Magazine in which his sermons appeared.
Enclosed in his letters are inscribed autograph copies of Holland's poems, "Morning" and "Poesy," as well as a copy of Supplement to Dryburgh Abbey and Other Poems, which includes his poems, "The Waterfall Glen at Poynings" and "The Bard."
An untitled essay on the sun, written by an unidentified person, completes the collection. Holland mentioned in one of his letters that he had sent Reid some writings by his father, Dr. Samuel Holland. It is possible that the elder Holland was the author of the essay.
Contents List
Box -- Folder -- Contents
33 Series I. Thomas Holland letters to George
Reid, 1845-1847
F509 Letters, 1845-1847
1845 Oct 29 ALS 3p
Nov 17 ALS 2p
Nov 28 ALS 3p
Note: Enclosed is Holland's three-page
autograph poem, "Morning," which is
inscribed: "For George Reid Esq. Glasgow
with the author's kind compliments."
Holland mentioned in his letter that the
poem has an added couplet which he was
"trying on."
Dec 9 ALS 4p
Dec 12 ALS 3p
1846 Jan 18 ALS 6p
Mar 11 ALS 2p
Mar 19 ALS 3p
Aug 13 ALS 3p
Aug 28 ALS 4p
Nov 13 ALS 4p
Dec 18 ALS 1p
1847 Feb 26 ALS 3p
Apr 22 ALS 1p
Poems, 1846 and [n.d.]
Supplement to Dryburgh Abbey and Other Poems (which
includes "The Waterfall Glen at Poynings" and "The
Bard")
"Poesy" (three-page autograph poem, dated 1/21/1846,
initialed by Holland and bearing his autograph
corrections.
Essay, [n.d.]
Autograph essay on the sun by an unidentified person.
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Last modified: 01/19/11
