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 Wilkie CollinsAn interesting letter in which Wilkie Collins talks about his personal worth and the financial...
preview image letterLetter from William Bentinck, 4th Duke of PortlandThe Duke of Portland encloses a cheque for £20 for "the society". This could be the 'Royal Society...
preview image letterLetter from William Cooke TaylorThis is a short note written by William Taylor addressed to publisher Richard Bentley in which he...
preview image letterLetter from William CubittThis short letter from William Cubitt is a thank you for a copy of 'Charities of London' which was...
preview image letterLetter from William EverettWilliam Everett refers to his father Edward Everett, who has sent him some books via Sampson Low,...
preview image letterLetter from William Ewart GladstoneA short note written on behalf of William Gladstone who declines to purchase 'The Abbey & Palace of...
preview image letterLetter from William GillyWilliam Gilly refers to a piece about the Waldenses he is writing for 'The Iris'. This was a...
preview image letterLetter from William Henry Giles KingstonW. H. G. Kingston accepts an offer from Sampson Low which is presumably a translation. This letter...
preview image letterLetter from William Henry MilburnWilliam Henry Milburn writes to Sampson Low Junior to inform him that he can give a lecture in...
preview image letterLetter from William Henry ProwseWilliam Henry Prowse writes a personal letter to Sampson Low Junior reflecting on his current poor...
preview image letterLetter from William Hepworth DixonIn his letter to Sampson Low, William Hepworth Dixon offers the publisher first refusal of Lady...
preview image letterLetter from William HowittOne of the oldest letters in the collection, this is a short note in which William Howitt...
preview image letterLetter from William James StewartWilliam Stewart has been offered a job in law, in India, where his brother Sir Richard Couch has...
preview image letterLetter from William Lambert HotchkinThis is a personal letter edged in black, informing Sampson Low of the death from blood poisoning...
preview image letterLetter from William Legge, 4th Earl of DartmouthIn his short letter the Earl of Dartmouth informs the recipient that the Secretary for the Society...
preview image letterLetter from William LeslieWilliam Leslie refers to receiving two copies of Harriet Beecher Stowe's non fictional work about...
preview image letterLetter from William Makepeace ThackerayWilliam Makepeace Thackeray sends his thanks for a volume of work which appears to be the...
preview image letterLetter from William ShortIn this personal and religious letter, which appears to be written to to Sampson Low Junior, Rev....
preview image letterLetter from William Withy GullWilliam Withy Gull sends Sampson Low a short thank you note for a work titled 'An Eton Boy's Day of...
preview image letterLetter from unknownThe unknown writer requests additional copies of his books via a bearer.