William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863)

William Makepeace Thackeray was a British novelist and illustrator. His most well known book is 'Vanity Fair' published in 1848. 'Vanity Fair' was first published as a 19-volume monthly serial between 1847 and 1848. During his lifetime Thackeray was widely read and produced a substantial body of work including novels, novellas, plays, poetry, series, non-fiction writings, sketches and satires. He died unexpectedly from a stroke at the age of 52.  

"[I] shall write to Boston & thank Mr Worcester for his

very handsome & welcome present"

Written to an unnamed recipient, likely to be Sampson Low, William Makepeace Thackeray sends his thanks for the receipt of a "superb volume" of work which appears to be the dictionary compiled by Joseph Emerson Worcester. Thackeray reveals that he intends to write to Worcester to thank him for the book. Sampson Low first published Worcester's 'A Dictionary of the English Language' in 1859. A substantially revised and expanded version with illustrations was reprinted in 1860. 

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