BERLIN (Sir Isaiah, 1909-1997, Russian British Political Theorist, Philosopher and Historian)

Fine Autograph Letter Signed to Ava, Viscountess Waverley, (1896-1974, wife of Sir John Anderson, Viscount Waverley) saying that he “could do nothing; if I had absented myself on the true ground that I had promised to come to lunch with you (I have never had a meal given ‘for’ me in my life; & hope I never shall) it would have upset the delicate & tenuous academic-benefactor texture too deeply; and have done damage to my future colleagues... was more than I could face, for the sake of personal private life. I was certainly as profoundly frustrated & upset as you could possibly have been... I shall have to give up the old beautiful freedoms - oh dear! I hope your guests were - I am sure they were - perfectly happy; Fred W. kept them all in a good humour, they basked in the light of your - ultimately - irreproachable personality & all was well. I wish it were not true; I have needlessly complicated my life, mutinous whispers already reach my over carefully attuned ears - pity me...”, 2 sides 8vo., with original autograph envelope, ‘As from Heddington’, 5th July

Although he became increasingly averse to writing for publication, his improvised lectures and talks were sometimes recorded and transcribed, and many of his spoken words were converted into published essays and books.

Item Date:  1966

Stock No:  42765      £275

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