The Thomas Chatterton Manuscript Project
Poet - Storyteller - Playwright - Bristowyan
The Dix image coloured
Dix used a black and white engraving for his 1837 edition.
The infamous Goggle- Eyed portrait. This is the earliest attempt at a likeness of Chatterton but it has no authority.
The Dix image coloured
Click the image for more.
Introduction
The Aim of the Chatterton Manuscript Project sounds simple enough; It is to present a complete view of Chatterton's Life & Works through original manuscripts & important early printings - not so simple then! Especially as the project has grown to include biographies, bibliographies, associations & influences, & much more besides.
However, the project is not concerned with evaluating the poetry of Chatterton, that delight is left firmly with any academic capable of picking up the Strunge Bataunt and running with it! Perhaps I could say, I know what I like and that's good enough for the likes of me! But that wouldn't quite be true either, as I found the insights of Prof. Nick Groom to be invaluable.
Scroll or click to read more about or aims.
But first consider the following snippet concerning the Chatterton / Rowley controversy, which had its birth in October 1768, when the first Rowley work to be published, The Mayor's First Passing over the Old Bridge, was printed in a Bristol Newspaper:
Quote from Tyrwhitt's first edition of 'Rowley's' Works, 1777.
A rogues gallery of those for and against Chatterton
Of Chatterton he said: It is wonderful how the whelp has written such things."
Of Chatterton he said: It is wonderful how the whelp has written such things."
Cell:1-slideshow
The Chattertonians
The earliest 'portrait of Chatterton'. It appeared in The Monthly Visitor for 1797.
The first widely accepted image of Chatterton but later proven to be a fake perpetrated by Dix in his 1837 edition of the life of Chatterton.
The earliest 'portrait of Chatterton'. It appeared in The Monthly Visitor for 1797.
Cell: 2-slideshow
Thomas Chatterton
I actually love Jeremiah Milles edition of 'Rowley's Works' 1782. It sits well on the shelf!
Cell: 3-slideshow
The Rowleyites
Here we have the 'Usual Suspects'; The lists of protagonists in cell: 1 & cell: 3 comes from Hyett & Bazeley's Chattertoniana. Do note that the image of 'Chatterton', in Cell: 2, switches his view from the Rowleyites to the Chattertonians. The image facing the Chattertonians dates from 1837 and is the infamous Dix frontispiece; the image facing the Rowleyites is known as the Goggle Eyed Chatterton, from The Monthly Visitor for 1797 by H. D. Symonds, which also has a small biography of Chatterton. It seems to me that the 'Goggle Eyed' Chatterton is an attempt to pick up on the claim that Chatterton had eyes that blazed, especially his left eye!
In Cell: 3 are the Rowleyites; those fools who believed it impossible for a young and poorly educated boy to produce such an amazing body of work.
In Cell: 1 are the other 'fools' who were convinced that Chatterton was indeed the author of the works of Rowley, as well as the works of the other characters he created.
Then there were those who were in Cell:3 to begin with but who came to accept that Chatterton was the author and are now in both Cell:1 and Cell:3. This is why Thomas Tyrwhit appears in both Cells but he won't be lonely as a few more 'experts' have already joined him in both Cells. Tyrwhitt was a Rowleyite right up until he published his first edition of 'Rowley's' works in 1777; and yet he published with caveats rather than risk committing to Chatterton as the author:
This is evidenced too, in Tyrwhitt's correspondence with George Catcott.
But none of the controversy could happen until after that horrible night of the 24th August, 1770, when Thomas Chatterton, who was 12 weeks short of his 18th birthday, swallowed a 'kill or cure' potion of opium and arsenic. Imagine the horrific sight when they broke into his attic room on the morning of the 25th and found him dead on his bed, with scraps of torn manuscripts scattered about the floor, and an empty phial of the hateful medication on the windowsill - Wallis's fabulous painting tells not the true story of that night, instead we should refer to the engraving by Orme after Ralph Lamar West, which is closer to the truth of it - but that was not the end of Thomas Chatterton, not even close to the end; in the years ahead he would achieve the worldwide fame that eluded him when he was alive! ...Read more
Cell: 2 continued
Thomas Chatterton
No known portraits of Chatterton exist - so the onus is on the seller to produce provenance and proof - buyer beware!
My preferred 'portrait of Chatterton.' A version of the portrait from Dix 1837. It is the one most associated with the poet. It's a bit like a calling a vacuum cleaner a Hoover. It is as much likely to be Chatterton, as Shakespeare is to be Shakespeare!
A bit too romantic a study. Chatterton is understood to have been stocky and of short stature.
No known portraits of Chatterton exist - so the onus is on the seller to produce provenance and proof - buyer beware!
There are many 'images of Chatterton'
But which, if any, are genuine? ...Read more
Chatterton's Short Life lasted from 20 November 1752 to 24/25 August 1770.
A bald and stark statement of a tiny existence - a total of 17 years and 9 months.
Break it down and it becomes truly stark:
At 5 or 6 years of age he joined Pile Street Charity school, but lasted only 4 weeks after being rejected as being too dull to learn.
He spent the next 109 weeks being home schooled by Sarah, his mother, with the help of his sister, Mary.
He was then 'imprisoned' for 359 weeks as a pupil at Colston's Hospital, a charity based, boarding school, where basic education only was taught, consisting of : reading, writing, accounts, maths, along with religious indoctrination - just enough education to ready him for his future occupation.
On the 1st July 1767, he started his unpaid apprenticeship as a scrivener at an Attorney's owned by Mr Lambert. He also lodged at Lambert's house, sharing a room with another boy, this job lasted just 143 weeks.
After his indentures were cancelled by Lambert he moved to Shoreditch, London, where he shared a bed with the son of his relative, Mrs Ballance; this stopover last for just 37 days.
This is the point when Chatterton broke free and made his final move. He took an attic room in Mrs Angel, house, in Brooke Street, Holborn, London - some privacy at last - but he lasted just 85 days, and died on the 24th / 25th August 1770!
A short life indeed! But as short as it was he still got his wish to have his name blown about the world. His fame reached many countries & stretched across the centuries.
Not bad for a poet who was 'But a boy!'
Who is Thomas Rowley, priest?
Was he discovered or invented?
(No Link - yet!)
We all know that George Meredith was the model for Wallis's famous painting; but did you know that the gruesome image with the rats, by Bartolozzi, which was listed as The Death of Chatterton by the British Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, is not a representation of the death of Chatterton at all - or is it? It was engraved for the poem Retirement by James Henry Leigh Hunt, and can be seen in his book Juvenilia, 1802.
Death of Chatterton by Edward Orme. The earliest representation of this scene, engraved in 1794. Certainly looks like the inspiration for Henry Wallis's painting in 1856. Although, John Cranch also painted 'The Death of Chatterton' which I have been unable to trace.
A delightful little watercolour by John Absolon. The auction house claimed it was entitled The Death of Chatterton, however, it is actually called 'The First Night in a Convent'. The model lying in the Chatterton pose, is actually a young nun - and she is sleeping, not dying!
We all know that George Meredith was the model for Wallis's famous painting; but did you know that the gruesome image with the rats, by Bartolozzi, which was listed as The Death of Chatterton by the British Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, is not a representation of the death of Chatterton at all - or is it? It was engraved for the poem Retirement by James Henry Leigh Hunt, and can be seen in his book Juvenilia, 1802.
Did Chatterton commit suicide or was his death a tragic accident?
Check the latest evidence, which indicates an accidental overdose.
The Chatterton Manuscript Project
Presents original documents to make research & analysis a joy!
This delightful pre-1918 postcard, tells the story of Chatterton's 'discovery' of the 'Rowley' manuscripts, which he claimed to have discovered in the coffers stored in the Muniment Room of St Mary Redcliffe church; it goes on to show his sad demise, pictured in the pose from Henry Wallis's famous painting, 'The Death of Chatterton.' The Chatterton Manuscript Project goes a little deeper & to the source!
A Sample of Chatterton's Works at 15 Years of Age.
The American Declaration of Independence.
In 1777, The Annual Register published one of the earliest printings of the 'Birth Certificate' of America.
In the same edition it printed some of Chatterton's works:
'An Account of the finding or forging of some very ingenious Poems, attributed to Thomas Rowley, a Priest of Bristol, in the fifteenth Century...'
Along with
'Bristowe Tragedie or The Dethe of Syr Charles Bawdin...' and 'A Short Account of William Cannings, the Person so often mentioned in the preceding Article, Founder of St. Mary Redcliffe's Church in Bristol, Wrote by the foregoing Thomas Roulie, Prieste, in the Year 1460.'
A total of 21 pages for Chatterton and just 10 pages for the article on the American Declaration of Independence. A silly but fun fact!
Chatterton's Bristowe Tragedie :
A Review of Chatterton's Life & Works :
The American Declaration of Independence :
Analyse, Research, Consider & Decide
Is the following Manuscript the original? or is it a copy by an unknown hand? Some people say original, others say copy! Compare the handwriting - what's your opinion? This is a good one to investigate.
I use the Bristol Library original manuscript as the backdrop for the website.
Click the image below to read more...
Bristows Tragedy or the Death of Sr Charles Bawdin
Composed by Chatterton in 1768.
Thomas Rowley is Alive and Well!
Fourteen years after Chatterton died, his works were still being published as Rowley's.
The following is an example of this:
The Execution of Sir Charles Bawdin (aka Bristows Tragedy or the Death of Sr Charles Bawdin) is the first poem in Volume 2 of Old Ballads, 1784, by Thomas Evans. Evans also includes The Song to Ælle in Volume 1
As far as the editor is concerned, Rowley is the author and Chatterton is not mentioned in the book.
A new edition of Old Ballads appeared in 1810 but without 'Rowlie's' works. Perhaps the editor had realised his mistake.
The Aim of the Thomas Chatterton Manuscript Project, continued:
Bristol, as the birthplace of Chatterton, really should have, at the very least, photographic copies of all of Chatterton's Manuscripts. Instead, his manuscripts are often hidden away in the vaults of wealthy Institutions, where ownership rather than education seems to be the key.
I am hopeful that The British Library, who were fortunate to receive Dr Glynn's bequest, which included William Barrett's working papers and Chatterton's manuscripts, appreciates the need to decentralise by making the provinces central to their future planning; too much in one location limits our understanding of the past and undermines a balanced future. It is now 250 years since the BL got their hands on Chatterton and, for the present, his Manuscripts still remain hidden to the vast majority of us.
The people of Bristol look forward to thanking the British Library for presenting copies of all Chattertonian manuscripts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the death of Chatterton (2020 delayed).
I write this on behalf of all those who do not have accreditation, a letter of introduction or money to waste on overnight trips to the great metropolis. The provinces are severely restricted and placed at a serious and unfair disadvantage by some of the outdated policies of the library.
The Death of Chatterton continued
It is now thought that Chatterton was hoping to use the hateful mixture to clear an STD and stop the fire raging within his body - he was 12 weeks short of his 18th birthday!
Chatterton became famous the world over; dozens of books were written about him and his amazing works; his story also appeared in newspapers and magazines; plays were written by the likes of De Vigny, which are still performed these days. His tragic end as a supposed suicide is portrayed romantically in a painting by Henry Wallis, and horrifically in various engravings. There were also stereoviews; photographs; postcards; linen handkerchiefs; Royal Doulton pots. He has also been memorialised by a Bristol Lodge of the Freemasons.
Chatterton quickly became the talk of the Town & Country magazine and his story went viral worldwide. Surely it was not possible that a poorly educated and, worse still, working-class, Charity School boy had created such works? The arguments for and against Chatterton raged on for years. He went on to become the Darling of the Romantics and a true Influencer of his own times & beyond.
But stop for a moment and think of any teenager of your aquantance - what I see through his letters and works is a Mother's loving son, a cheeky monkey, a Sister's loving Brother, a Bristowyan, a Poet, a Storyteller, a Journalist, a Playwright & Wit, a Bit of a Wag: A Young Villain with Wings.
Our working-class boy had exceptional & extraordinary abilities, it is true, but we should also note that his life is as important as his works. For to truly appreciate the song you must also appreciate the singer!