Poems by the late unhappy and lamented William Dodd, LL.D.
Overview
Poetry of clergyman William Dodd in printed and manuscript form, compiled after his death by Weeden Butler.
Dates
- Creation: 1745-1796
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on physical access to this material.
Extent
.2 linear feet (1 volume)This volume consists of seven of Dodd's published poems, bound together with what appear to have once been several different manuscript compilations of his poems, each paginated separately. The compilation was done by Weeden Butler (1742-1823), who had been employed by Dodd as an amanuensis from 1764 to 1777.
Very few of the poems are in Dodd's distinctive hand. Many or most of the transcripts appear to be in Butler's hand, based on a comparison with his 1796 introduction. Butler did some of this transcription during Dodd's lifetime, as at least one of the original volumes was annotated and expanded by Dodd.
The volume contains almost all of the poems in the 1767 collection, Poems by Dr. Dodd, either in printed or manuscript form, as well as many poems which were apparently unpublished during Dodd's lifetime. The collection also includes an apparently unpublished tragedy, Panormus and Emelinda.
Biographical / Historical
William Dodd (1729-1777) attended the University of Cambridge, and was ordained as a minister in 1752. He published a wide variety of works from 1747 onward, including poetry, a novel, theological writings, and his most successful work, The Beauties of Shakespeare (1752). In 1767, he founded Pimlico Chapel in London behind Buckingham House, in an effort to attract royal patronage. Dodd grew increasingly desperate for money to pay debts. On 1777 Feb. 1, he forged the name of a former pupil on a bond in an effort to obtain £4200, for which he was sentenced to death on May 16. Despite a vigorous public sympathy campaign, led in part by author Samuel Johnson, clemency was not granted and Dodd was executed on June 27.
Physical Location
Hyde Case 9
Immediate Source of Acquisition
2003J-EC147. Bequest of Mary Hyde Eccles, Four Oaks Farm, Somerville, New Jersey; received: 2004.
Bibliography
Processing Information
Processed by: Rick Stattler
- Title
- Dodd, William, 1729-1777. Poems by the late unhappy and lamented William Dodd, LL.D., 1745-1796: Guide.
- Author
- Houghton Library, Harvard College Library
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- hou01765
Repository Details
Part of the Houghton Library Repository
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