Lovelace, autograph letter signed, to Mrs Tynte, [c. 1840]

KING, AUGUSTA ADA, COUNTESS OF LOVELACE

Autograph letter signed ("Augusta Ada Lovelace"), to Mrs Tynte

discussing the educational future of a musical prodigy, presumably the harpist John Thomas ("...I cannot but think that if you could mention him (or still better obtain him a hearing) amongst your Welsh connections, it would be a considerable step..."), hoping that a place could be found for him at the Royal College of Music ("the Institution in Tenterden St"), 4 pages, 8vo, St James's Square, 17 May [c.1840], remains of mount

"...The more I see & hear of him, the more convinced I feel that he would do ample credit to a good professional education..." 

A PHILANTHROPIC LETTER BY THE GREAT MATHEMETICIAN. Ada Lovelace - like many mathematicians - was deeply musical. She practised on the harp daily, had her portrait painted playing the piano, and even speculated about whether the Analytical Engine, on which she collaborated with Babbage, could be used to compose music. In 1840 she first encountered the fourteen year-old harpist, John Thomas, who is almost certainly the unnamed subject of this letter. Thomas had won a prize at the Abergavenny eisteddfod in 1838 and had been brought to London by the eisteddfod president, Sir Charles Morgan. Despite her relatively limited means, Lovelace committed to ensure Thomas a place at the Royal College of Music, paying three-quarters of his fees for six years. He went on to become a highly-regarded professional musician, prolific composer, professor at the Royal College, and Harpist to the Queen. Thomas later named his daughter after her as a mark of gratitude. LETTERS BY ADA LOVELACE ARE EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AT AUCTION.

PROVENANCE:

Acquired from Winifred Myers, Autographs, Ltd., 1961 (copy of letter with lot)

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