RENNELL (Sir James Rennell Rodd, 1858-1941, Diplomat and Writer, from 1933 1st Baron)

Fine Autograph Letter Signed ‘Rennell Rodd’ to ‘My dear Jack’ sending “a word to present to your good offices our very old friends Mr and Mrs Trench, who are leaving Rome where they live in the winter for Egypt in a few days time. All good wishes for the New Year...”, 2 sides 8vo., British Embassy, Rome headed paper, 29th December

Rodd was educated at Haileybury and Balliol College, Oxford, where he was associated with the circle of Oscar Wilde. In 1880, he won the Newdigate prize for Raleigh. Wilde later assisted Rodd in securing publication for his first book of verse, Rose Leaf and Apple Leaf, for which Wilde provided an introduction. As Wilde began to court scandal in his public career, their friendship cooled. Following Wilde's trial, Rodd strongly dissociated himself from him, particularly as his own work had contained a number of gently homoerotic verses. In 1908 he was appointed ambassador to Italy. He remained in this post until 1919, and played a key role in securing Italy's adhesion to the Triple Entente. Rodd left the Diplomatic Service in 1919, but nonetheless served on the mission to Egypt in 1920, with The Viscount Milner.

Item Date:  1908

Stock No:  42901      £125

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