Nine letters from Maria Edgeworth to Jules Paul Benjamin Delessert and Madame François Delessert
Comprises letters from Maria Edgeworth to:
- Benjamin Delessert, 11 Feb 1818 - recommending and introducing Josiah Wedgwood [junior].
- Benjamin Delessert, 13 Apr 1826 - recommending and introducing Doctor Browne, surgeon and physician; and refers to sending collection of Kildare St Society books to Madame Gautier.
- Benjamin Delessert, 7 May 1826 - refers to her eldest brother [Charles Sneyd Edgeworth] selling part of his estate to pay off debts and requests loan of £5,000 for six months.
- Benjamin Delessert, 7 Sep 1828 - recommending and introducing cousin Charles Fox (Irish lawyer); refers to the gratitude of Doctor Browne and Dugald Bannatyne; Dugald Stewart and Miss Stewart's loss; and Dugald Stewart's last work.
- Madame François Delessert ('Sophie'), 21 May 1838 - refers to: death of Madame Gautier and requests bit of hair for locket; parcel of books; and well being of family.
- Benjamin Delessert, 14 Oct 1836 - requesting answers to queries of Mr George Moore for his history of the French Revolution(s).
- Benjamin Delessert, 14 May 1840 - with thanks for Delessert's Le Guide du Bonheur; and referring to Father Matthews, an Irish Catholic priest, curing confirmed drunkards.
- Madame François Delessert, 16 Aug 1844 - recommending and introducing cousin Mr Elrex Edgeworth and wife; health of Elrex; sisters Fanny and Harriet; Packenham Edgeworth's return; hair bracelet; Father Matthews; and carnation seed.
- Madame François Delessert, 26 Apr 1845 - recommending and introducing Mr Moore ['son of the Mr Moore who was Sir George Mackintosh's intimate friend']; [Alexander von] Humboldt; drawing of Passy and hair bracelets; and own health [incomplete].
Dates
- Creation: 1818-1845
Extent
1 box
Language of Materials
- English
English
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. 11493].
Shelfmark:
MS. 11493
Collection ID (for staff)
CMD ID 11493
Abstract
Nine letters from Maria Edgeworth to Jules Paul Benjamin Delessert (1773-1847) and Madame François Delessert (1796-1877).
Biographical / Historical
Maria Edgeworth and her father Richard Lovell Edgeworth first made the Delessert family's acquaintance when they visited Paris in 1802. Jules Paul Benjamin Delessert was a banker, philanthropist, innovator, engineer, and naturalist with a particular interest in botany and conchology. He developed the sugar beet refining process and founded the first French savings bank, the Groupe Caisse d’Epargne. In his youth, Delessert had been sent to England where he met Adam Smith, David Hume and James Watt. In common with Richard Lovell Edgeworth, many of his friends were part of the intellectual Lunar Men circle. After Richard Lovell Edgeworth's death, Maria and the family maintained friendly relations, both via letter and, when visiting France, in person. In the correspondence Maria Edgeworth addresses herself to Benjamin Delessert or Julie Elisabeth Sophie Delessert, née Gautier, the wife of Benjamin’s brother François Marie Delessert (1780-1868).
Arrangement
The letters are arranged chronologically.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased by the Bodleian Library from John Hart, bookseller, with help from the Friends of the Bodleian, 2015.
Subject
- Delessert | Jules Paul Benjamin | 1773-1847 | French banker and naturalist (Person)
- Delessert | Julie Elisabeth Sophie | 1796-1877 | née Gautier | wife of François-Marie Delessert (brother of Jules Paul Benjamin Delessert) (Person)
- Edgeworth family | Edgeworthstown (Family)
- Edgeworth | Maria | 1768-1849 | novelist and educationist (Person)
- Title
- Catalogue of nine letters from Maria Edgeworth to Jules Paul Benjamin Delessert and Madame François Delessert
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Rachael Marsay
- Date
- 2020
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Sponsor
- Catalogued with the generous support of the Roy Davids bequest
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk