Ollier, Charles, 1788-1859. Charles Ollier letters to Leigh Hunt1850 July 29 and undated
MSS 099, F368
2 items (5 p.) ;
18.5 x 22.5 cm. These are two letters from English publisher, writer, and editor Charles Ollier to English essayist and poet Leigh Hunt.
Materials entirely in
English.
University of Delaware Library -
Special Collections
Source Purchase, 1992.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Terms Governing Use and
Reproduction Use of materials from this collection beyond the
exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S.
Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is
required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections
Department, University of Delaware Library,
http://www.lib.udel.edu/cgi-bin/askspec.cgi
Citation MSS
099, F368, Charles Ollier letters to Leigh Hunt, Special Collections, University of Delaware
Library, Newark, Delaware.
Shelving Summary
- F368: Shelved in SPEC MSS 099 manuscript boxes
Processing
Processed and encoded by Lora J. Davis, January 2009.
Biographical Note Publisher, writer, and editor Charles Ollier was born on May 4, 1788 in the parish of St. James, Bath, England.
Ollier moved from Bath to London at the age of fourteen to become a junior clerk at a London banking house. While continuing his work and apprenticeships in the field of banking, Ollier became interested in the London literary, theatrical, and musical scene. In 1810 Ollier wrote his first piece of theatrical criticism for the
Examiner, a Liberal newspaper published by poet and essayist Leigh Hunt. Through his friendship with Hunt, Ollier became acquainted with other prominent artists and authors living in London. On May 13, 1814, Ollier married Maria Gattie (1786–1878). The couple would go on to have six children. In 1817 Ollier entered into business with his younger brother James as a publisher, bookseller, stationer, and manager of a circulating library. Ollier's earlier introductions to individuals in the London literary scene via Leigh Hunt helped the brothers to publish the first two books bearing the C. and J. Ollier imprint. These works, John Keats's Poems and Percy B. Shelley's Proposal for Putting Reform to the Vote throughout the Kingdom , were published in March of 1817, and marked the beginning of Ollier's influence as a publisher. The brother's business went bankrupt during the winter of 1822–1823 and Ollier was forced to cease publishing. From 1825 until 1839 Ollier worked as a reader and advisor for other publishing firms, until, in 1846, he began publishing again under his own name. Unfortunately, this second publishing endeavor would fail just three years later, in January of 1849. Though Ollier struggled to achieve financial success with his publishing efforts, his work was nevertheless highly influential. In addition to his career as a publisher, Ollier also wrote and published a number of his own works. Ollier died June 5, 1859 as a result of a long-time respiratory illness.Robinson, Charles E. "Ollier, Charles (1788–1859)." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004. Available online at http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/20739 (accessed January 27, 2009).
Scope and Content Note Includes two letters from English publisher, writer, and editor Charles Ollier to English essayist and poet Leigh Hunt. The letters are signed by Charles Ollier.
Selected Search Terms
Personal Names
Hunt, Leigh, 1784-1859.
Topical Terms
Authors, English--19th century--Sources. Poets, English--19th century--Sources.
Form/Genre Terms
Letters (correspondence)
Related Materials in this
Repository This item forms part of MSS 099 Miscellaneous Literary and
Historical Manuscripts.
Detailed Contents List
21
F368
Charles Ollier letter, Old Brompton, to Leigh Hunt1850 July 29 1 item (2 p. on 1 leaf) Autograph letter signed.
21
F368
Charles Ollier letter, Southampton St. Strand, to Leigh Huntundated 1 item (3 p. on 1 leaf) Autograph letter signed.