Forman, H. Buxton (Harry Buxton), 1842-1917

The controversial bibliographer Harry Buxton Forman was best known for his work on Shelley, Keats, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, as well as for collaborating with Thomas J. Wise (1859-1937) in the creation of numerous literary forgeries.

From the description of Harry Buxton Forman volumes, ca. 1892-1907. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 82181516

Harry Buxton Forman, English bibliographer and forger. He wrote a great deal of critical and bibliographic literary scholarship throughout his life, most notably on Shelley and Keats, all the while maintaining a career in the Post Office. In 1886 Forman met fellow bibliographer T. J. Wise through the Shelley Society, and the two began secretly printing counterfeit publications of works of famous authors, subsequently validating the authenticity of the books through their own bibliographic works. Their scheme remained largely undetected until nearly two decades after Forman's death, with the publication of John Carter and Graham Pollard's Enquiry into the Nature of Certain Nineteenth Century Pamphlets.

From the guide to the Harry Buxton Forman manuscript material : 60 items, 1877-1913, (The New York Public Library. Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle.)

English bibliographer and forger.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : London, to William Michael Rossetti, 1890 March 14. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 650248851

From the description of Autograph letter signed : London, to John Webster, 1890 March 14. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 650280330

Harry Buxton Forman, English bibliographer and forger. He wrote a great deal of critical and bibliographic literary scholarship throughout his life, most notably on Shelley and Keats, all the while maintaining a career in the Post Office. In 1886 Forman met fellow bibliographer T. J. Wise through the Shelley Society, and the two began secretly printing counterfeit publications of works of famous authors, subsequently validating the authenticity of the books through their own bibliographic works. Their scheme remained largely undetected until nearly two deacdes after Forman's death, with the publication of John Carter and Graham Pollard's Enquiry into the Nature of Certain Nineteenth Century Pamphlets.

From the description of Harry Buxton Forman manuscript material : 59 items, 1877-1913 (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 228504992

H. (Harry) Buxton Forman (1842-1917) was part of the Post Office staff in London, England during the late 19th century. Forman collected rare editions of literary works as well as publishing his own literary material.

From the description of H. Buxton Forman papers relating to John Keats, 1885-1949. (University of Delaware Library). WorldCat record id: 657124716

Editor.

From the description of Letters, 1885-1887. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 36570034

Henry Buxton Forman was born in Camberwell, England. He discarded his first Christian name, and used the name Harry in its stead. Forman's literary career began in 1869 with a series of articles in TINSLEY'S MAGAZINE which were reprinted in 1871 as OUR LIVING POETS. Other works include POETICAL WORKS AND OTHER WRITINGS OF JOHN KEATS in four volumes, ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING AND HER SCARCER BOOKS (1896), and HITHERTO UNPBLISHED POEMS AND STORIES BY ELIZABETH BARRETT BRWONING (1914). His elder brother, Alfred William Forman (1840-1925), also a man of letters, was born in London on 13 September 1840. He became interested in Richard Wagner, and translated the libretto of DER RING DES NIBELUNGE which was privately printed (1873-1875) and favorably received by Wagner.

From the description of Forman family collection, 1879-1939. (Peking University Library). WorldCat record id: 63052154

Henry "Harry" Buxton Forman (1842-1917) was an English bookseller and bibliographer known for his scholarship of English authors such as Percy Shelley and John Keats. After his death, it was discovered that he had been part of a long-term literary forgery scheme with fellow book collector Thomas James Wise.

From the guide to the Harry Buxton Forman Letter, Undated, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)

H. (Harry) Buxton Forman (1842-1917) was part of the Post Office staff in London, England during the late 19th century. Forman collected rare editions of literary works as well as publishing his own literary material.

The Post Office department attracted many men with literary backgrounds and they formed the Post Office Literary Society. H. Buxton Forman joined the society, became an active collector of rare editions, and was publishing his own work by 1868. H. Buxton Forman longed to write poetry but found his talents were better suited to producing descriptive bibliographies of British poets. He published texts on Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Keats which helped establish his reputation as an expert in the field of nineteenth-century British literature. His greatest talent was his ability to maintain intimate friendships with contemporary authors and poets. This talent along with his vast knowledge of the printing and book buying trades allowed him to guide others through the publishing process. H. Buxton Forman continued to combine his work for the Post Office and his literary pursuits until 1907, when he retired as a Second Secretary of the Post Office.

Maurice Buxton Forman, Harry's youngest and favorite son, followed in his father's footsteps. After finishing college, he tried several jobs before ending up at the Post Office. Maurice was well acquainted with his father's literary work and friends. He and Thomas James Wise sorted the Buxton Forman Collection after his father's death in 1917, prior to its sale as part of the estate.

H. Buxton Forman and Thomas James Wise were implicated in a commercial forgery scheme spanning the years 1886 to 1916. During this period, they produced over fifty forgeries, specializing in British poetry and literary works of the nineteenth century. Many of their fabrications were cleverly manufactured owing to Forman's vast knowledge of the printing trade. The forgeries were analytically scrutinized by Carter and Pollard in An Enquiry into the Nature of Certain Nineteenth Century Pamphlets and by Barker and Collins in A Sequel to An Enquiry .

Myers, Robin and Michael Harris (ed). Fakes & Frauds. Detroit: Omnigraphics, Inc., 1989. pp. 113-116. Barker, Nicolas and John Collins. A Sequel to An Enquiry into the Nature of Certain Nineteenth Century Pamphlets. New Castle: Oak Knoll Books, 1992. pp. 23-41. Robinson, Charles E. "'Nymph of the Downward Smile, and Sidelong Glance': A Photograph of Georgiana Keats." Collections 2 (1987): 26-43.

From the guide to the H. Buxton Forman papers relating to John Keats, 1885-1949, (University of Delaware Library - Special Collections)