Panel C54-9
Chatterton's Search for a Patron
Letters to James Dodsley
Bookseller & Publisher
Chatterton Age: 16
Apprentice at Lambert's
Thomas Chatterton
Highlights how well known Dodsley was at the time
No image of James Dodsley.
Here's one of his brother -
A family likeness perhaps.
The Search for a Patron is Underway
Chatterton's Letters to Dodsley
First published in 1813
Before he wrote to Walpole, Chatterton first wrote to James Dodsley, Bookseller and Publisher. It was only after he failed to 'hook' Dodsley with a sample of his work, that he moved his search for a Patron to Horace Walpole.
Chatterton's First Letter to Dodsley
21st Dec, 1768
Location of Manuscript:
Donald F. Hyde Collection
Houghton Hyde Room
Harvard University
From First Printing:
Britton's Redcliffe Church 1813
Chatterton's Second Letter to Dodsley
15th February, 1769
Location of Manuscript:
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
From First Printing:
Britton's Redcliffe Church 1813
As far as is known, Chatterton wrote only two letters to Dodsley. It is highly likely that Chatterton had replies from Dodsley but the letters have never been found. It is unlikely that Dodsley kept copies, and highly likely that Chatterton binned the originals - he didn't take rejection very well! I wonder if Dodsley, in his missing replies, recommended that Chatterton approach Walpole?