| AdminHistory | Robert Southey (1744-1843) was an English poet of the Romantic School. As a poet and prose writer, his output included fiction; essays; translations and biographies. Originally a radical and a supporter of the French Revolution, he turned rightwards, and argued against parliamentary reform and Catholic emancipation (1). He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1842. His literary publications were regularly advertised in the contemporary press (2/3).
Born in London in 1816,Pocock, wrote several letters to Southey asking for copies of his work. By now, Southey was Poet Laureate and living in Cumbria (4/5/6). The 'Pocock' mentioned in another letter, written in 1839, and the aforementioned H. E. Pocock, may well be the same person. This letter invites speculation on whether Pocock had financial problems - correspondence between members of the Wagner family records that "there are three quarters rent due from Pocock up to Christmas last' at which point a different hand continues "respecting Pocock's rent - Stepney house' (7).
Sources of information:
1 'Robert Southey' in www.poetryfoundation.org
2. 'Select Works of The British Poets from Chaucer to Withers, with Biographical Sketches by R. Southey': p. 1 in London Evening Standard, 17th July 1840
3. 'Southey's Lives of British Admirals' 1840: p.12 in London Evening Standard, 2nd October 1840
References 2-3: British Newspaper Archive
4. LC 12881 Poems by Harry Edwin Pocock, nascitur 1816; c.1936 (THLHLA)
5. P/MIS/109/1 Letters from H. E. Pocock to Robert Southey, Poet Laureate at Keswick, Cumberland, requesting copies of Southey's Work c.1965 (THLHLA)
6. P/MIS/109/2 Typed Sheet re sale of above letters, giving some details about the 'poetaster reviewer of Stepney', c.1965 (THLHLA)
7. P/MIS/194/4 Letter from E. Wagner at Chelsea "for A. M. Wagner &Co.' to her brother Melchoir Wagner' at Mr. Price's 48,Chancery Lane, 18th February 1839. (THLHLA)
Transferred from cuttings collection in Local History Library, 31 August 1988. |