MS 684 02 01 03

MS 684 02 01 03

Thomas Hardy collection: Letters from Hardy to the Sparks family

Item

Hardy had four cousins: Rebecca, Tryphena, Martha and Nathaniel Snr. Nathaniel married Annie Lanham and had two children, James and Nathaniel Jnr, who became artists. Hardy was close to his first cousins, particularly Tryphena who suffered an early death and inspired some of Hardy's later poems. In later years, particularly during his marriage to Emma Gifford, Hardy grew apart from his cousins and their correspondence reflects this distance. However, James and Nathaniel Jnr did draw Hardy subjects and country scenes. In particular, Nathaniel produced etchings of scenes from 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles'. James Sparks died in 1938 and Nathaniel Jnr in 1956. There are no descendants from either line.

1898-1917

1 volume

Letters from Thomas Hardy to the Sparks family (Hardy's aunt, uncle and cousins), from 1898 to 1917. There are 14 autograph letters from Hardy to Nathaniel and James Sparks, and a reference by Hardy for James Sparks' application to the School of Art, Plymouth. Also in the volume is a manuscript itinerary by Hardy for James and Nathaniel Sparks to cycle to Dorchester, a photograph of Hardy, an acknowledgement card of condolences received following the death of Jemima Hardy and an autograph note in Florence Hardy's hand.

Originally part of the Nathaniel Sparks archive.