Skip to main content

Autograph Letter Signed from George Combe to W. E. Hickson, 7 May 1857

 Item
Identifier: Coll-1848/25-0059/13

Scope and Contents

Autograph Letter Signed from Scottish Scottish phrenologist and lawyer George Combe to educationist W. E. Hickson, praising his book 'History of Sunday' and discussing his 'broken down' health. Edinburgh, 7 May 1857.

Addressed to "W E. Hickson Esq". Combe thanks him for his "kind remembrance", and for "sending me your "History of Sunday"; It is a most valuable, & from its small compass & cheapness, a most serviceable, contribution to the great cause of human emancipation from superstition". He states that he has himself "lately published a work with the same end in view". As he does not know how to send Hickson a copy he is enclosing "an order for one on the Publishers, hoping that you will find it easy to procure it". He begins the final paragraph by enquiring how Hickson's health "stands the influence of time. I am now much broken down by chronic congestion of part of the left lung, & 69 years of age; but by care & doing very little, still enjoy life."

Dates

  • Creation: 7 May 1857

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

Open. Please contact the repository in advance.

Full Extent

1 letter

Custodial History

From the autograph collection of the psychiatrist Richard Alfred Hunter (1923-1981), whose collection of 7000 works relating to psychiatry is now in Cambridge University Library.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased in April 2025. Accession no. SC-Acc-2025-0059.

Physical Description

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Second leaf, blank except for endorsement, with traces of glue from mount.

Processing Information

Catalogued by Aline Brodin in September 2025, using information provided by the seller.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

Contact:
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379