Though Wordsworth is remembered as one of the great “romantic” poets, the genuine romance he shared with his wife Mary Hutchinson has often been overlooked. This book features a collection of 31 letters between William and Mary—a treasure trove rediscovered in the 1970s. Among other things, this evidence shows that Wordsworth married well, as Mary emerges as a devoted, witty, and imaginative correspondent. Furthermore, it shows that William Wordsworth was not just an ambitious author, but also a devoted and loving husband. As their close friend and fellow poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge said, “A blessed Marriage for him & for her it has been!”
The first picture below shows part of one of Mary’s letters to William as edited for the 1981 volume. It exemplifies her talent for writing and the love she often expressed in her letters to him. The second picture shows a facsimile of Mary’s handwriting in one of the original letters.
Contributed by Lexa Porter