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 Mary Martha SherwoodOne of the oldest letters in the collection. Mary Sherwood writes of receiving a letter from the...
preview image letterLetter from Matilda MackarnessMatilda Mackarness requests a reply to a letter sent regarding publishing her work in America.
preview image letterLetter from Matthew Fontaine MauryMatthew Maury gives permission to Sampson Low to translate and publish 'Physical Geography' in...
preview image letterLetter from Oliver Wendell HolmesOliver Wendell Holmes writes about his work "The Guardian Angel", pages of which are being sent to...
preview image letterLetter from Paul CullenThe Archbishop writes to Sampson Low enclosing a book made up of two versions of the 'Roman...
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 Paul du ChailluPaul du Chaillu declines an offer from Sampson Low to publish his manuscript but informs him he...
preview image letterLetter from R. D. BlackmoreR.D. Blackmore expresses his appreciation for Mr and Mrs Low liking 'Lorna Doone' and refers to a...
preview image letterLetter from Ralph Waldo EmersonIn his letter Ralph Waldo Emerson refers to being a stranger in London and to not knowing a Mr...
preview image letterLetter from Rebecca HeyOne of the oldest letters in the collection. Rebecca Hey offers Rev Thomas Dale some written pieces...
preview image letterLetter from Richard Chenevix TrenchRichard Trench writes to Sampson Low to inform him that he declines to publish an unnamed work he...
preview image letterLetter from Richard CobdenRichard Cobden asks Sampson Low to forward an enclosed but unnamed book to author Patrick Barry.
preview image letterLetter from Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess WellesleyA short compliment note to Lord William Bentinck from Lord Wellesley.
preview image letterLetter from Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of LyttonRobert Lytton explains he does not intend to edit an edition of poems by P---? but hopes it will...
preview image letterLetter from Robert ChambersRobert Chambers writes to Sampson Low regarding James Simson's book 'History of the Gypsies' which...
preview image letterLetter from Robert E. LeeIn his letter Robert E. Lee responds to an offer by Sampson Low to publish his history of the...
preview image letterLetter from Robert Grosvenor, 1st Baron EburyBaron Ebury asks Sampson Low Junior to send him 'The Way of Life' by Dr Bushnell and 5 copies of...
preview image letterLetter from Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of WestminsterIn his letter Robert Grosvenor regretfully declines the position of President of the 'Royal Society...
preview image letterLetter from Robert MontgomeryRobert Montgomery writes about meeting Sampson Low to discuss the republication of his poem...
preview image letterLetter from Robert PottsIn his letter to Sampson Low, Robert Potts claims that fellow Cambridge mathematician Isaac...