Wilhelm von HUMBOLDT (1767-1835)

Autograph Letter Signed (“Humboldt”) to an unidentified gentleman, regretting that his correspondent had been unable to come to see him the previous day.
1 page 8vo in French with integral blank leaf, n.p. [London], 8 October 1818.    
Trans: “I very much regretted, my dear Sir, not having the pleasure of seeing you here yesterday, & I learned with great regret that it was an indisposition which deprived me. I flatter myself that it will be of short duration, & I hope to be able to make up, another time, for the loss  which I sustained. My brother, who is leaving tonight, asks me to send his friendly regards to you, he was very disappointed not to have been able to profit more from your society during his 4 days in London. . .”
Wilhelm von Humboldt served as Prussian Envoy Extraordinary to London in 1817-18. French was the preferred language in diplomatic circles at the time, although it is possible that his correspondent was French; there is no indication of who the recipient might have been.
Wilhelm von Humboldt is remembered as a philologist, writer and diplomat, but perhaps his most important work was during his time as Prussia’s minister for education. His revolutionary ideas on education, emphasising the importance of teaching children to think independently, remains as relevant today as it was then.
A previous collector has written “Humboldt” in pencil at the bottom of the letter, which is otherwise in excellent condition.

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