The Letters of John Murray to Lord Byron

The foremost publisher of the Romantic period, John Murray was a crucial figure in the professional lives of the most important literary talents of his time—including Jane Austen, Walter Scott, and above all Lord Byron, with whom he shared an especially intimate working relationship. Never before published, and in fact rarely even seen, Murray’s letters to Byron are an exhilarating find and significantly increase both our knowledge of Byron and of nineteenth-century publishing.

The letters reveal a wealth of information about the composition of Byron’s works and their manner of publication. They show the extent to which Byron accepted Murray’s editorial revisions and how willing Murray was to publish other authors simply on Byron’s recommendation. Renowned Byron scholar Andrew Nicholson has edited this critical edition and his informative notes fill in Byron’s side of the conversation. Along the way Murray’s letters illuminate much about his relations with his other authors, as well as the vast circle of literati, scientists, travelers, and politicians who frequented his celebrated drawing room.