University of Delaware Library

Special Collections Department

R. Brimley Johnson
papers relating to
Shelley-Leigh Hunt

1928 - 1929

Manuscript Collection Number: 216
Accessioned: Purchased in 1979.
Extent: .33 linear ft., 1 box..
Content: Correspondence and manuscript materials.
Access: The collection is open for research.
Processed: Origionally processed in 1984 and revised in 1992 by Suzanne Hoffmann.

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Table of Contents

Introductory Note

 R. (Reginald) Brimley Johnson was a biographer, critic, and editor specializing in nineteenth century English literature and literary figures. He edited Shelley-Leigh Hunt: how friendship made history and extended the bounds of human freedom and thought which was published in 1928.

The romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and Leigh Hunt met in London in 1816, and grew to be close friends. From 1816 to 1820, Leigh Hunt edited the Examiner, The Literary Pocket Book, and The Indicator. By the end of 1821, Lord Byron and Shelley convinced Hunt to join them in Italy to write and edit The Liberal. Within a few days of Hunt's arrival, Shelley drowned in a boating accident leaving Hunt devastated. Shelley's wife, Mary, Lord Byron, and Hunt published a few issues of The Liberal, but it quickly folded.

R. Brimley Johnson, in connection with his work editing Shelley-Leigh Hunt, collected correspondence related to the period after Shelley's death. The epilogue of his book is devoted to letters written by Shelley's circle of intimate friends during this time.

Sources:

Cheney, David R. "Leigh Hunt" in Dictionary of Literary Biography. Vol. 96. British Romantic Poets, 1789 - 1832. Second Series. (ed.) John R. Greenfield. Detroit: Gale Research, Inc., 1990. pp. 157-173.

Johnson, R. Brimley (ed.) Shelley-Leigh Hunt: how friendship made history and extended the bounds of human freedom and thought. London: Ingpen & Grant, 1928.

Scope and Content Note

 This collection is composed of materials related to the publication of Shelley-Leigh Hunt. R. Brimley Johnson used the correspondence gathered in this collection in the epilogue and introduction of his book. The correspondents include Edward John Trelawny (Shelley's friend), Thomas Jefferson Hogg (Shelley's friend and a contributor to The Liberal), Mary Shelley (Shelley's wife), and Leigh Hunt.

Manuscript materials from Shelley-Leigh Hunt include the original manuscripts for the dust jacket note and the epilogue. There are also typescript copies of a letter by Count Pietro Gamba and a diary entry by Marianne Hunt (Leigh's wife) with autographed corrections by Johnson.

This collection also contains an extensive assortment of letters and cards from R. Brimley Johnson to Eric Grant and Roger Ingpen. These letters pertain to copyright and other topics related to publishing. The letters are arranged in chronological order.

The collection includes a first edition of Shelley-Leigh Hunt, a later edition of which is available in the Library's circulating collection at call number PR 4811 J6 1972.

Contents List

 Folder -- Contents

F1   Letter, 1822
     Typescript copy, Edward Trelawny to Leigh Hunt, edited by R.
     Brimley Johnson

F2   Letter, 1823
     Typescript copy, Thomas Jefferson Hogg, edited by R. Brimley
     Johnson

F3   Letters, 1823, Jul-Aug
     Jul 13    Typescript copy, Mary Shelly to Lord Byron
     Jul 23    Typescript copy, Mary Shelley to Jane Williams
     Aug 07    Typescript copy, Mary Shelley to Leigh Hunt

F4   Letter, 1824
     Typescript copy, Leigh Hunt to "the Author of an Article in
     Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine respecting a visit paid to
     Lord Byron at Genoa"

F5   Copy for Jacket
     Original manuscript for jacket note
     Typewritten manuscript for jacket note

F6   Epilogue
     manuscript title page
     Epilogue manuscript
     Epilogue proof

F7   Diary entries, 1822, Nov
     Typescript copy, "The Last Page from the Diary of Marianne
     Hunt," edited by R. Brimley Johnson
     
F8   Letter, n.d.
     Typescript copy, "A Narrative of Lord Byron's Journey to
     Greece," edited by R. Brimley Johnson

F9   Letter
     Autographed letter, "Copyright queries" by R. Brimely
     Johnson 

F10  Letters, 1928-1931
     18 autographed letters from R. Brimley Johnson to publishers
     5  autographed cards from R. Brimley Johnson to publishers

     Book
     Johnson, R. Brimley (ed.)  Shelley-Leigh Hunt: how
     friendship made history and extended the bounds of human
     freedom and thought.  London: Ingpen & Grant, 1928.
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