Spencer, Herbert (1820-1903)
Title
Spencer, Herbert (1820-1903)
Description
Herbert Spencer and George Eliot first met in 1851, while Eliot was working at the Westminster Review. Both deeply admired the other's intellect, although they did occasionally disagree over topics like social evolution, Spencer's main field of study. The two were very close and spent significant amounts of time together; eventually, Eliot confessed her love for Spencer. Although he did admit an intellectual attraction to her, Spencer rejected her on the basis of a lack of physical attraction. He did, however, introduce Eliot to George Henry Lewes, her eventual domestic partner, in 1851. Eliot and Spencer remained lifelong friends, and when he passed away, her photograph was on his bedside table.
Publisher
George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett, https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org
Letters Exchanged
To:
GE to [Herbert Spencer?], London, 16 September 1871
GE to Herbert Spencer, Witley, 27 June 1879
GE to Herbert Spencer, London, 18 December 1880
GE to Herbert Spencer, London, [21 April 1852]
GE to Herbert Spencer, Broadstairs, [8? July 1852]
GE to Herbert Spencer, [Broadstairs, 16? July 1852]
GE to Herbert Spencer, Broadstairs, [29? July 1852]
GHL to Herbert Spencer, London, 9 July 1853
GHL to Herbert Spencer, Richmond, [9 March 1856]
GE to Herbert Spencer, Wandsworth, 2 October 1859
GHL to Herbert Spencer, London, [28 November 1874]
GE to Herbert Spencer, Witley, 27 June 1879
From:
Herbert Spencer to GE, London, [5 December 1878]
Herbert Spencer to GE, Derby, 30 September 1859
Herbert Spencer to GHL, London, 11 November 1872
GE to [Herbert Spencer?], London, 16 September 1871
GE to Herbert Spencer, Witley, 27 June 1879
GE to Herbert Spencer, London, 18 December 1880
GE to Herbert Spencer, London, [21 April 1852]
GE to Herbert Spencer, Broadstairs, [8? July 1852]
GE to Herbert Spencer, [Broadstairs, 16? July 1852]
GE to Herbert Spencer, Broadstairs, [29? July 1852]
GHL to Herbert Spencer, London, 9 July 1853
GHL to Herbert Spencer, Richmond, [9 March 1856]
GE to Herbert Spencer, Wandsworth, 2 October 1859
GHL to Herbert Spencer, London, [28 November 1874]
GE to Herbert Spencer, Witley, 27 June 1879
From:
Herbert Spencer to GE, London, [5 December 1878]
Herbert Spencer to GE, Derby, 30 September 1859
Herbert Spencer to GHL, London, 11 November 1872
Image
For more information
Citation
Herbert Spencer (1820-1903), Spencer, Herbert (1820-1903), Social Network Gallery, George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett, https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed November 11, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/97138