Letters of Edward FitzGerald, in Two Volumes. Vol. 2

This volume gathers a series of letters written by a Victorian poet and translator during the late 1850s. In his correspondence he discusses the progress of his Persian translations, the challenges of publishing, and the lively literary circle that included scholars like Spedding and Cowell. The letters reveal his humor, his scholarly frustrations, and his deep affection for the works of Omar Khayyam. Listeners will hear the everyday concerns of a man balancing ambition with the quiet of his London lodgings.

A striking thread runs through the letters when tragedy strikes—a close friend is badly injured by a horse accident, and FitzGerald’s grief and sense of helplessness come through with raw honesty. He writes about the strain of caring for a dying companion, the impact on his own creative drive, and his reflections on the fleeting nature of life. The tone remains conversational, offering a window into the personal side of a literary figure often known only for his famous translations.