The Sampson Low Collection

Sampson Low (1797-1886) was a Victorian bookseller and publisher whose clients included many notable figures of the nineteenth century from Britain, North America and Europe. The Sampson Low Collection comprises two volumes of over 200 letters written by clients and friends, the majority to Sampson Low himself. The letters have been digitised and transcribed and made available online for the first time.

Image of The Sampson Low Collection
Thumbnail Type Name or title Description
preview image letterLetter from Benjamin Humphrey SmartB. H. Smart writes to Sampson Low to thank him for the copy of Worcester's Dictionary he has...
preview image letterLetter from Charles Beaumont PhippsPhipps sends a letter on behalf of Queen Victoria who has accepted 'The Charities of London'...
preview image letterLetter from Dinah Craik (2)In her letter Dinah Craik acknowledges £20 received for early copies of her 1856 novel 'John...
preview image letterLetter from Elizabeth GaskellMrs Gaskell thanks the recipient (most likely Sampson Low) for the £50 cheque she has received and...
preview image letterLetter from George GroteGeorge Grote writes with thanks for the receipt of (American journalist) Parke Godwin's 'History of...
preview image letterLetter from George PeabodyGeorge Peabody writes to Sampson Low thanking him for receipt of his book 'The Charities of London'...
preview image letterLetter from Gerald WellesleyWriting from The Deanery at Windsor, Gerald Wellesley gratefully accepts a copy of a book the...
preview image letterLetter from Hensleigh WedgwoodHensleigh Wedgewood writes to Sampson Low to thank him for the receipt of 'Mr Worcester's very...
preview image letterLetter from Herbert Coleridge (1)In what appears to be a follow up letter from the one he wrote dated 14 February Herbert Coleridge...
preview image letterLetter from Herbert Coleridge (2)Herbert Coleridge writes to thank Sampson Low for his letter and copy of (Worcester's) dictionary...
preview image letterLetter from John BrownJohn Brown thanks the recipient for his letter and an unnamed book. It appears he may have been...
preview image letterLetter from John ClareOne of the oldest letters in the collection, John Clare writes to Louis Theodore Ventouillac...
preview image letterLetter from John Hubbard, 1st Baron AddingtonBaron Addington encloses a cheque with his letter to Sampson Low and refers to £5.18 credited by...
preview image letterLetter from John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill writes with thanks for receipt of a book by architect Frederick Law Olmsted...
preview image letterLetter from Joseph BosworthBosworth informs the recipient that he has received a copy of Worcester's Dictionary and a letter,...
preview image letterLetter from Martin Farquhar TupperMartin Tupper acknowledges receipt of the 'American volume' and encloses 1/6 in payment.
preview image letterLetter from Mary Martha SherwoodOne of the oldest letters in the collection. Mary Sherwood writes of receiving a letter from the...
preview image letterLetter from Paul Methuen, 1st Baron MethuenThis is one of the oldest letters in the collection. Paul Methuen thanks Sampson Low for 'The Iris'...
preview image letterLetter from Rowland HillRowland Hill agrees to an unnamed request and comments on the late arrival of the recipient's...
preview image letterLetter from Samuel GurneyThis letter is sent on behalf of Samuel Gurney thanking Sampson Low for a book the publisher sent...