Dear Mr Murray: Letters to a Gentleman Publisher (Hardback)

David McClay (Author)

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Dear Mr Murray: Letters to a Gentleman Publisher

Dear Mr Murray: Letters to a Gentleman Publisher

£16.99 £3.00

Dear Mr Murray: Letters to a Gentleman Publisher

£16.99 £3.00

Dear Mr Murray is a captivating collection of letters spanning over two hundred years, showcasing the remarkable history of the John Murray publishing house—founded in Fleet Street in 1768 and cherished across seven generations of family stewardship.


This beautifully illustrated volume brings together some of the most compelling correspondence from the vast John Murray Archive, revealing the fascinating relationships between celebrated authors and their publisher. From Charles Darwin's candid thoughts on critical reviews to Byron's witty reproaches, from Jane Austen's concerns about printing delays to Patrick Leigh Fermor's pleas for uninterrupted writing time, these letters capture literary history in its most intimate form.

Discover curiosities and unexpected moments: David Livingstone's objections to artistic choices, William Makepeace Thackeray's apologies, and James Hogg's desperate plea for Christmas dinner funds. These authentic voices paint a vivid portrait of authorship, friendship, and the creative process across centuries.

Featuring reproductions of original letters and envelopes alongside engaging commentary, Dear Mr Murray is an essential treasure for book lovers, historians, and anyone captivated by the stories behind the world's most influential publications. A perfect gift that celebrates the enduring power of the written word.

  • Publisher: John Murray
  • ISBN: 9781473662698
  • Pages: 320
  • Weight: 0.438
David McClay is former senior curator of the John Murray Archive at the National Library of Scotland (2006-16) and now works at the University of Edinburgh. He is a trustee of Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, and has been involved in numerous national and international exhibitions on Byron and other Romantic-era themes, on which subjects he also speaks and lecturers. A great letter enthusiast, David himself doesn't write as many letters as he should.

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