- 121
Browne, Sir Thomas
Description
- Browne, Sir Thomas
- Letter signed ("Tho Browne"), to Sir William Dugdale
- paper
[with:] autograph note by Browne, discussing land reclamation in Holstein, 1 page, 4to (195 x 150mm), c. January–February 1659
Both with contemporary marginal markings, notes, and underlining, presumably by Dugdale; damp damaged with nicks and tears, professionally conserved
[also with:] Two letters to Dr Eli Moschowitz, following his publication of the letter, 1925–1927; in a blue collector's slipcase and matching box.
Provenance
Literature
Catalogue Note
A fine example of scholarly antiquarianism in a letter written between two of the greatest historians of their time. This letter and the related manuscript show the keen collaboration between the two men when Dugdale was engaged in his History of Imbanking and Drayning, which was published in 1662. The history of land drainage features prominently in their surviving correspondence of the period, and Browne acknowledged receipt of the "excellent Note ... touching the Drayning made of late years by the Duke of Holstein" in a letter of 24 February 1659. Dugdale's book was published with an acknowledgement to Browne, "from whom I ... received much direction for my better guidance." Browne's surmise, quoted above, that the 24-mile Fen Causeway was of Roman origin has been confirmed by modern archaeology.