Henry James (1843 - 1916) was an American-born novelist who spent most of his adult life in Europe. A recognized pioneer of Modernism, he combined an exceptional critical reputation with a constant failure to please the public. His only commercial success in his lifetime was the Rome-set Daisy Miller (1878), and his now celebrated works include the novel The Portrait of a Lady (1881) and the novella The Aspern Papers (1888). The latter is inspired by the story of Shelley’s devotee Captain Silsbee, an adventurer who allegedly courted Claire Clairmont’s unmarried niece Paulina in order to obtain memorabilia of the poet. Despite his very reserved personality, James was an extraordinary socialite: he famously boasted to have dined out 107 times in London during the ‘Season’ of, 1879, which is probably why, in answer to Miss Dunham’s invitation, to which this short note is the answer, James regrets that, ‘contrary to my hope, I shall not be able to dine with you tomorrow evening’. The letter, whose year is unknown, was written from his residence at 34, De Vere Gardens, now known as the fifth most expensive street in London. James lived there between 1886 and 1902 and, since he is addressing Miss Dunham with her maiden name, we can assume that the letter was written before 1895 (Watts’s letter to the same address is from 1890, see 9.17). Henry James (1843 - 1916) was an American-born novelist who spent most of his adult life in Europe. A recognized pioneer of Modernism, he combined an exceptional critical reputation with a constant failure to please the public. His only commercial success in his lifetime was the Rome-set Daisy Miller (1878), and his now celebrated works include the novel The Portrait of a Lady (1881) and the novella The Aspern Papers (1888). The latter is inspired by the story of Shelley’s devotee Captain Silsbee, an adventurer who allegedly courted Claire Clairmont’s unmarried niece Paulina in order to obtain memorabilia of the poet. Despite his very reserved personality, James was an extraordinary socialite: he famously boasted to have dined out 107 times in London during the ‘Season’ of 1879, which is probably why, in answer to Miss Dunham’s invitation, to which this short note is the answer, James regrets that, ‘contrary to my hope, I shall not be able to dine with you tomorrow evening’. The letter, whose year is unknown, was written from his residence at 34, De Vere Gardens, now known as the fifth most expensive street in London. James lived there between 1886 and 1902 and, since he is addressing Miss Dunham with her maiden name, we can assume that the letter was written before 1895 (Watts’s letter to the same address is from 1890, see item numbered 9.17).
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