PLUMMER (John, 1831-1914, Journalist)

Fine Autograph Letter Signed to “My dear Friend Paxton HOOD” (Edwin, 1820-1885, Nonconformist, Writer, Biographer and Author) thanking him for sending “me your two charming and fascinating little volumes, which I prize far more than many books of mine, of much higher pretensions. I little dreamed of the amount of real poetic spirit with which you was imbued, but having learnt it, I can now understand ‘the reason why’ your name is mentioned with such warm fervour by my poetical acquaintances. Perhaps you will be glad to learn that my literary prospects have much improved, and that several articles from my pen have appeared in Once a Week, and that I am regularly engaged on The London Review, in which I have an article every week, such as ‘Short Time’, and that a very long paper of mine will appear in my friend, Charles Knight’s, ‘Companion to the Almanac’ for 1862. This is going up the ladder with a vengeance, but my progress is continually stayed by my infirmity of deafness, which has, however, not prevented my obtaining a young amiable and intellectual helpmate, who has made herself a great favourite with Lady Spencer, Mrs Charles Knight, Mr Walford and others who know me personally. As regards poor Clare he is still alive. I gave a long account of him in Once a Week and shall shortly commence editing a collection of his works, and may also act on the suggestion of my friend ‘Cuthbert Bede, and illustrate the various localities rendered sacred by their association with his muse. I understand that you are editor of the Eclectic Review and other ably conducted periodicals. If so, I should very much like to contribute occasional papers bearing on the Social Condition of the People. The Times and other daily papers did me the honour of quoting extracts from a paper of mine on the Dock Labourers, which recently appeared in Once a Week... I shall have a similar article, entitled ‘A Night in Whitechapel’... wishing you many happy years of prosperous and successful literary labours...”, 3 sides 8vo., Kettering, 8th October

John Plummer was the son of John Plummer, staymaker, and his wife Elizabeth, née Lowe. Brought up in poverty near Whitechapel, he was left deaf and crippled by 'a fever'. He taught himself to read and became interested in pictures and graphic design, but had to give up evening classes at Spitalfields School of Design when in 1853 unemployment forced the family to move to Kettering, Northamptonshire. Father and son found work in a staymaking factory. In 1860 he married Mary Ann Jenkinson at Thorpe Malsor. For about eighteen years he worked in London on numerous magazines, almanacs and trade journals, founded and edited the London Figaro, lectured, and published tracts. In 1879 he went to Australia to represent British exhibitors at the Sydney International Exhibition. Finding Australians 'self reliant but not mutually reliant', he settled quickly into colonial journalism.
He must be referring to John CLARE (1793-1864, Poet) who spent the last years of his life in a lunatic Asylum.

Item Date:  1861

Stock No:  41903      £145

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