Daniel Defoe letters

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 4630

Scope and content

Consists mainly of letters by Defoe concerning his political activities, including his imprisonment in early 1703, his secret government mission to Scotland in 1705 and subsequent trips there on government business, and English domestic and foreign affairs he was involved in after returning to England. Other correspondents include the Earl of Nottingham, who ordered Defoe's arrest and questioning in 1703; the Earl of Godolphin; Robert Harley, Defoe's patron while he was in Scotland; and Henry Baker, who married Defoe's daughter Sophia. Also included is a manuscript of Defoe's essay "The Shortest Way With Dissenters," for which he was imprisoned.

Dates

1702-1730.

Creator

Defoe, Daniel, 1661?-1731. (Person)
Nottingham, Daniel Finch, Earl of, 1647-1730. (Person)
Godolphin, Sidney Godolphin, Earl of, 1645-1712. (Person)
Oxford, Robert Harley, Earl of, 1661-1724. (Person)
Baker, Henry, 1698-1774. (Person)
Defoe, Daniel, 1661?-1731. (Title of work: Shortest way with dissenters..) (Person)

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Letters may not be quoted or reproduced without permission of the holders of the originals..

Biographical / Historical

English novelist and journalist.

Extent

.7 cubic feet. (.7 cubic feet.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Location of Originals Note

Holder of originals: Originals held in the British Library, the Public Record Office (London), Pierpont Morgan Library, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Berg Collection at the New York Public Library, Yale University Library, and the Bodleian Library, Oxford.