The Chatterton Manuscript Project
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:
Chatterton's Second Letter to Dodsley
15th February, 1769
Location of Manuscript:
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
From First Printing:
It seems that Chatterton wrote only these two letters to Dodsley. Unfortunately, Dodsley's replies are missing. Chatterton didn't take rejection very well and it is likely that he destroyed any replies he did get. I wonder if Dodsley, in his missing replies, recommended that Chatterton approach Walpole?