GHL to Henry Crabb Robinson, East Sheen, [14? May 1855]
Title
GHL to Henry Crabb Robinson, East Sheen, [14? May 1855]
Title
GHL to Henry Crabb Robinson, East Sheen, [14? May 1855]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Henry Crabb Robinson
Date(s)
- 1855-05-14
Place
East Sheen
Letter Content
GHL to Henry Crabb Robinson, East Sheen, [14? May 1855]
MS: Dr. Williams's Library. Endorsed: 1855 | G. H. Lewes | Life of G'f6the.
Clarence Row, | East Sheen, | Surrey.
Dear Sir
I trust the purpose of this note is sufficient apology; for although accident has hitherto prevented my desire to make your personal acquaintance,
I am sure the name of Goethe is enough to command your interest at once. 250 It is of Goethe I would speak.
For many years I have been employed writing his Biography. Many of his personal friends in Germany have kindly assisted me. You, also, I believe had some personal acquaintance with him in his later years, and I should esteem it a great favor if your inclination and leisure would permit you to furnish me with any personal details. What you have written on Goethe is known to me; at least what appeared years ago in the Monthly Repository. But the biographer sets great store by details which have significance for him, although not perhaps the sort of details which would appear in criticism; and it may be that you could furnish the details which others have forgotten, or not thought significant because they could not forsee the use to be made of them. Believe me, dear Sir
Yours very truly
G. H. Lewes.
H. C. Robinson Esq.
MS: Dr. Williams's Library. Endorsed: 1855 | G. H. Lewes | Life of G'f6the.
Clarence Row, | East Sheen, | Surrey.
Dear Sir
I trust the purpose of this note is sufficient apology; for although accident has hitherto prevented my desire to make your personal acquaintance,
I am sure the name of Goethe is enough to command your interest at once. 250 It is of Goethe I would speak.
For many years I have been employed writing his Biography. Many of his personal friends in Germany have kindly assisted me. You, also, I believe had some personal acquaintance with him in his later years, and I should esteem it a great favor if your inclination and leisure would permit you to furnish me with any personal details. What you have written on Goethe is known to me; at least what appeared years ago in the Monthly Repository. But the biographer sets great store by details which have significance for him, although not perhaps the sort of details which would appear in criticism; and it may be that you could furnish the details which others have forgotten, or not thought significant because they could not forsee the use to be made of them. Believe me, dear Sir
Yours very truly
G. H. Lewes.
H. C. Robinson Esq.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Henry Crabb Robinson, East Sheen, [14? May 1855], Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/94555