Chatterton's Search for a Patron is Underway
Letters to James Dodsley
Bookseller & Publisher
Chatterton is 16 years old and still an Apprentice at Lambert's
Before he wrote to Walpole, Chatterton first wrote to James Dodsley, the 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.
Thomas Chatterton
No image of James Dodsley.
Here's one of his brother -
A family likeness perhaps.
Chatterton's Two Letters to Dodsley
First published in 1813
Chatterton's First Letter to Dodsley
21st Dec, 1768
Location of Manuscript:
Donald F. Hyde Collection
Houghton Hyde Room
Harvard University
(Awaiting a copy)
The First Printing below is from: Britton's Redcliffe Church 1813
Chatterton's Second Letter to Dodsley
15th February, 1769
Location of Manuscript:
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
(Awaiting a copy)
The First Printing below is from: Britton's Redcliffe Church 1813
It seems that Chatterton wrote only these two letters to Dodsley. Unfortunately, Dodsley's replies (if he did reply), are missing. It is likely that Chatterton didn't take rejection very well, it is also likely that he destroyed any negative replies he did get. I wonder if Dodsley, recommended that Chatterton approach Walpole?