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Dear Mr Murray: Letters to a Gentleman Publisher
The publishing house of John Murray was founded in Fleet Street in 1768 and remained a family firm over seven generations. Published to coincide with this 'remarkable achievement' and in the anniversary year, Dear Mr Murray is a collection of some of the best letters from the hundreds of thousands held in the John Murray Archive. They reveal not only the story of some of the most interesting and influential books in history but also the remarkable friendships - as well as occasional animosities - between author and publisher, as well as readers, editors, printers and illustrators.
Despite the incredible number of letters that were retained by the Murray family, some failed to arrive, others were delayed and some barely survived, but longevity added to the reputation and fame of John Murray and a correspondent in Canada who addressed his letter merely to 'John Murray, The World-wide famous Book & Publishing House, London, England' as early as 1932 could be confident that his letter would arrive.
Intended to entertain and inspire, and spanning more than two hundred years, Dear Mr Murray is full of literary history and from Charles Darwin's response to the negative reviews of On the Origin of Species to Adrian Conan Doyle challenging Harold Nicolson to a duel for insulting his father in the press; from David Livingstone's displeasure at the proposed drawing of a lion to represent his near-death encounter in Missionary Travels to William Makepeace Thackeray apologising for his drunken behaviour; from Byron berating John Murray for being fooled by his girlfriend's forgery of his signature to the poet James Hogg so desperate for money that he claims he won't be able to afford a Christmas goose; and from Jane Austen expressing concern about printing delays to Patrick Leigh Fermor beseeching Jock Murray not to visit him until he'd completed A Time of Gifts. Complemented by illustrations and reproductions of letters and envelopes, this is the perfect gift for book lovers everywhere.
Despite the incredible number of letters that were retained by the Murray family, some failed to arrive, others were delayed and some barely survived, but longevity added to the reputation and fame of John Murray and a correspondent in Canada who addressed his letter merely to 'John Murray, The World-wide famous Book & Publishing House, London, England' as early as 1932 could be confident that his letter would arrive.
Intended to entertain and inspire, and spanning more than two hundred years, Dear Mr Murray is full of literary history and from Charles Darwin's response to the negative reviews of On the Origin of Species to Adrian Conan Doyle challenging Harold Nicolson to a duel for insulting his father in the press; from David Livingstone's displeasure at the proposed drawing of a lion to represent his near-death encounter in Missionary Travels to William Makepeace Thackeray apologising for his drunken behaviour; from Byron berating John Murray for being fooled by his girlfriend's forgery of his signature to the poet James Hogg so desperate for money that he claims he won't be able to afford a Christmas goose; and from Jane Austen expressing concern about printing delays to Patrick Leigh Fermor beseeching Jock Murray not to visit him until he'd completed A Time of Gifts. Complemented by illustrations and reproductions of letters and envelopes, this is the perfect gift for book lovers everywhere.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 21, 2018
Subtitled, “Letters to a Gentleman Publisher,” this is a delightful collection of letters to sent to the publishing house of John Murray, first founded in Fleet Street in 1768. Overall, there are seven John Murray’s (including one ‘Jock’), beginning with John Murray the First 91737-1793) who, born in Edinburgh, changed his name from ‘McMurray’ before opening his publishing house in London. These continue through John Murray the Second (1778-1843), John Murray the Third (1809-1892), John Murray the Fourth (1851-1928), John Murray the Fifth (1884-1967), John Murray the Sixth (1909-1993) and the current head of the family, John Murray the Seventh (1941 -).
Obviously, over so many years, this collection of letters, of which only a tiny percentage must have been chosen for publication, includes much to delight all of us fascinated by the bookish world of publishing. From apologies from William Makepeace Thackeray, for his behaviour at a dinner party, Lady Caroline Lamb sending a forged letter, purporting to be from Lord Byron, in order to obtain Byron’s portrait, Harold Nicolson’s delightful response to the request for a duel from the son of Arthur Conan Doyle and more, this collection includes many of the great names from literature. Within these pages are George Bernard Shaw, John Betjemin, Patrick Leigh Fermor, William Wordswoth, Sir Walter Scott and Jane Austen; and these are just some of the letter writers included here.
This collection also has much about the sale and publishing of books, as well as literary reviews. There are percentages, profits, periodicals, illustrations, film rights and the difficulty of keeping authors happy. As always, with a book of this type, it is fascinating to see how authors were viewed at the time, before reputations became established. Jane Austen, after early, modest success, was described as having, ‘talents,’ but, although it is accepted she will be read, but ‘not last,’ while “Pride and Prejudice,” is considered, a little dismissively, as a, ‘very pretty thing.’
The publishers were known for their travel writing and there are also exotic locations and intrigue, as well as social reform. Isabella Bird, for example, a nineteenth century travel writer, became a feminist icon. Her love for travel and the fact she, ‘embraced peril,’ was often considered unfeminine. However, she had a sense of humour along with her bravery, writing that one reviewer, in ‘The Spectator,’ must have, “been inebriated when he wrote the review of my book.” The work covered in this book also includes, “Self Help,” by Samuel Smiles, an early inspirational book – which has spawned a plethora of other such words, social reformers, poetry, and more. Some of the letters will make you smile, and others cannot fail to move you. For book lovers, there is much to enjoy in this collection and the current John Murray should be applauded for making those letters included available for readers to enjoy.
Obviously, over so many years, this collection of letters, of which only a tiny percentage must have been chosen for publication, includes much to delight all of us fascinated by the bookish world of publishing. From apologies from William Makepeace Thackeray, for his behaviour at a dinner party, Lady Caroline Lamb sending a forged letter, purporting to be from Lord Byron, in order to obtain Byron’s portrait, Harold Nicolson’s delightful response to the request for a duel from the son of Arthur Conan Doyle and more, this collection includes many of the great names from literature. Within these pages are George Bernard Shaw, John Betjemin, Patrick Leigh Fermor, William Wordswoth, Sir Walter Scott and Jane Austen; and these are just some of the letter writers included here.
This collection also has much about the sale and publishing of books, as well as literary reviews. There are percentages, profits, periodicals, illustrations, film rights and the difficulty of keeping authors happy. As always, with a book of this type, it is fascinating to see how authors were viewed at the time, before reputations became established. Jane Austen, after early, modest success, was described as having, ‘talents,’ but, although it is accepted she will be read, but ‘not last,’ while “Pride and Prejudice,” is considered, a little dismissively, as a, ‘very pretty thing.’
The publishers were known for their travel writing and there are also exotic locations and intrigue, as well as social reform. Isabella Bird, for example, a nineteenth century travel writer, became a feminist icon. Her love for travel and the fact she, ‘embraced peril,’ was often considered unfeminine. However, she had a sense of humour along with her bravery, writing that one reviewer, in ‘The Spectator,’ must have, “been inebriated when he wrote the review of my book.” The work covered in this book also includes, “Self Help,” by Samuel Smiles, an early inspirational book – which has spawned a plethora of other such words, social reformers, poetry, and more. Some of the letters will make you smile, and others cannot fail to move you. For book lovers, there is much to enjoy in this collection and the current John Murray should be applauded for making those letters included available for readers to enjoy.
December 25, 2022
"Generation by generation, the authors changed, but always a Murray remained at the centre of a glittering literary nexus at No. 50."
What a delightful read this was!
I found a copy of this book rather randomly at a charity shop, my interest immediately piqued by its gorgeous cover. Now in publishing myself, I was also enormously curious about it, and it quickly turned into a must-buy when I spotted Jane Austen's name on the backcover, amid a myriad of other familiars.
While I think I would definitely have still enjoyed this 6 or more months ago, reading it now, after having worked in publishing for the past half a year, I appreciated it far more, actively giggling as I read of Byron, Austen, Darwin, and other famous writers bringing the same complaints to the Murrays that appear in my email inbox every day. For anyone who works in publishing, I would say that this is an aboslutely giddying read, one perfect for alleviating a rough day with the reminder that even Sir Walter Scott complained about production delays.
But even if you don't work in publishing, this is still a wonderful read, especially for those with an appreciation for 19th- and 20th-century literature. It really provides some fantastically interesting background to how some of the English language's best works came to be, complete with David McClay's sharply provided context.
I will definitely be keeping this in mind as a gift for publishing friends and beyond; it has a beautiful cover, some intriguing correspondance and historical appeal, and really is just an all-around delight. Cannot recommend this enough!
September 30, 2021
I have to admit, that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I had hoped to. I don’t know whether that was because I was expecting something more telling or exciting, I don’t n ow. But either way, it was an interesting collection of letters from different authors, some names I know and a few that I did not.
While it didn’t knock my socks off, I know that this book will have others enjoying it way more than what I did. I did find it wonderful that a publishing house could stay within one family for over 200 years. It shows that it is a family dedicated to making something work through times when it could’ve all ended easily. Like in the 1800’s or during the world wards when many buildings and business were lost to bombing.
While it didn’t knock my socks off, I know that this book will have others enjoying it way more than what I did. I did find it wonderful that a publishing house could stay within one family for over 200 years. It shows that it is a family dedicated to making something work through times when it could’ve all ended easily. Like in the 1800’s or during the world wards when many buildings and business were lost to bombing.
December 19, 2024
As both an avid reader and a prolific letter writer, the premise of this book appealed to me.
Many of the letters were very interesting and it was also interesting to learn something of the gentlemanly way in which the process of bringing a book to publication used to work.
The language and length of the letters did drag a little at times, meaning I began to scan - always a bad sign, but nevertheless a novel way to delve into history.
Many of the letters were very interesting and it was also interesting to learn something of the gentlemanly way in which the process of bringing a book to publication used to work.
The language and length of the letters did drag a little at times, meaning I began to scan - always a bad sign, but nevertheless a novel way to delve into history.
March 1, 2019
It takes a lot to bring out a book, and this particular entree just gives you an insight of how the art of publishing and the people related to it have flourished over the years.
For a bit of a light, insightful and background reading about the world of publishing and author's and critics relations to it, this book is an upbeat read.
For a bit of a light, insightful and background reading about the world of publishing and author's and critics relations to it, this book is an upbeat read.
December 30, 2019
This book was not as entertaining as I was hoping. It would be fascinating to people who were more familiar with the authors featured. But all the same, it provided an interesting insight into this famous company.
November 15, 2020
"You say I should punch an Archbishops head reverently because hundreds of thousands of people regard him with awe" G.B.Shaw
Schlieman thinks he knows as much about printing as he does about digging...Witness his absurd idea of printing off his book in a week"
Schlieman thinks he knows as much about printing as he does about digging...Witness his absurd idea of printing off his book in a week"
September 15, 2025
Quite a niche read, but fascinating in terms of the collection of correspondence spanning generations. Some really interesting names in there - Darwin, Austen, Scott, Byron. For lovers of the art of letter writing.
October 19, 2021
This collection gave an intriguing insight into the background and lives of the letter writers.
September 24, 2024
Did not finish it, but the entries I read were quite remarkable and I am really impressed by the legacy of JM, this book is the relique of its success.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews