An autograph letter signed 'Tennyson' (dated 28 June 1917), to Pamela Tennant (née Wyndham), Lady Glenconner. The letter concerns the affair between his son Lionel (later 3rd Baron Tennyson, and a first-class cricketer who captained Hampshire and England) and Lady Glenconner's married daughter, The Hon. Clarissa Tennant

TENNYSON, Hallam (2nd Baron TENNYSON)

About this Item

Small octavo, one page, on the mourning stationery of his home on the Isle of Wight, Farringford House (Tennyson had lost one of his younger sons in action, and would lose another before the end of the war). Folded twice for posting; a few tiny marks; in excellent condition. The letter is brief enough to quote in full: 'Dear Lady Glenconner, I am deeply distressed not only for myself but also for all of you. Of course one cannot but be very sorry for both of them. I have spoken to L. fully, and he takes a really serious view now, I hope; and has promised not to see her during the war. L. ought to protect her against herself. I cannot write more, for I feel the thing too acutely. It was kind in you to write to me. Ever yours, Tennyson'. Lionel and Clarissa married in March 1918; she was still only 21 years old at the time. They had three children before their divorce in 1928. Each was to remarry (and redivorce) again. Hallam Tennyson (1852-1928), eldest son of the poet laureate Alfred (later 1st Baron), 'had initially sought the governorship of South Australia, but hesitated when it was offered to him in January 1899: Tennyson was influenced by speculation that after Federation the post might be subordinated to that of the governor-general, or even abolished. He arrived in Adelaide in April and proved popular: the press and the people saw him as hardworking, competent, dignified and frugal. Appointed acting governor-general on 4 July 1902 after Lord Hopetoun's unexpected resignation, Tennyson was confirmed in this position in January 1903, at his own request for one year only' ('Australian Dictionary of Biography').

Seller Inventory # 115301

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An autograph letter signed 'Tennyson' (dated 28 June 1917), to Pamela Tennant (née Wyndham), Lady Glenconner. The letter concerns the affair between his son Lionel (later 3rd Baron Tennyson, and a first-class cricketer who captained Hampshire and England) and Lady Glenconner's married daughter, The Hon. Clarissa Tennant
• Condition: Very Good
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • First World War
  • British Isles
  • Manuscripts
  • Signed
  • South Australia