Letters, 1934-1972.

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Letters, 1934-1972.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/37000455

Consists mostly of letters written to Charles Ballantyne, 1903- , of Sandbed House, Yarrow, Selkirk, Scotland, about a subject of common interest, the life and works of William Beckford, 1760-1844, novelist, man of letters and art collector, who was the author of the Gothic novel, Vathek, and several travel sketches. Included in this collection are notes by Beckford inscribed on two volumes once owned by him and later the property of Charles Ballantyne. Accompanying the collection are two portraits. One is an engraving of William Beckford, published in 1823 by G. Smeeton, Arcade, Pall Mall. The other is a photograph of a portrait in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, once believed to be that of Beckford but later rejected.

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Indiana University

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SNAC Resource ID: 7389789

Indiana University

Related Entities

There are 2 Entities related to this resource.

Ballantyne, Charles, 1903-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6n6183t (person)

Beckford, William, 1760-1844

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6xw4ps8 (person)

William Thomas Beckford, English writer and art collector. In 1782 he published his best known literary work, Vathek, first in French. His budding political career was derailed in 1784 by scandal surrounding his relationship with William Courtenay (1768-1835). He is perhaps best remembered for his biggest failure -- his lavish but hastily built home, Fonthill Abbey -- which collapsed twice, earning it the nickname "Beckford's Folly." From the description of William Beckford manuscrip...