Autograph letter signed, William Thomson to David Steuart Erskine, earl of Buchan, at Dryburgh Abbey.
Concerning the publication by Debrett's of Erskine's Essays on the lives and writings of Fletcher of Saltoun [London, 1792] together with observations on the earl's brothers as students at the university of St Andrews. Signed William Thomson. London, 11 March 1792.
William Thomson (1746-1817) studied theology at St Andrews University and at Edinburgh, despite being the son of a carpenter. He was ordained in 1776 as assistant in the parish of Monivaird in Perthshire, but found the restrictions of ministerial life too constraining, and resigned 2 years later. He moved to London and tried to make a living as a writer, eventually gaining great success. He could turn his hand to histories, biography, Bible commentary, novels, plays, travelogues, memoirs and philosophical tracts. He briefly owned the English Review and wrote most of its articles. He also wrote under various pseudonyms.
David Steuart Erskine (1742-1829), 11th earl of Buchan, Scottish antiquarian and political reformer.
Single item
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Purchased from Ifan Kyrle Fletcher for one guinea, 20 February 1953.
Call number used to be ms1404
Individual Manuscripts and Small Collections database available as part of Manuscripts Database.
Paper: 1 sheet, 37x22.5cm folded.
Description compiled by Maia Sheridan, Archives Hub project archivist, based on material from the Manuscripts Database
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