ART, LITERATURE AND PHILANTHROPY Series of autograph letters to Lady Louisa Goldsmid, the philanthropist, educationalist and suffragist, from Robert Browning, Millicent Jarrett Fawcett and Edward Lear, comprising: three autograph letters signed 'Robert Browning', the first asking her to 'Please put the notes into the fire, and – if you please to honor it so far – the photograph into your album', the rest accepting invitations ('I understand your kindness in softening the disgrace by this second invitation, which I accept blushingly but joyfully too'), 3 pages, 8vo, 19 Warwick Crescent, 'Saturday afternoon', 20 February [18]69 and 'Tuesday'; two autograph letters written on mourning paper signed ('Millicent Jarrett Fawcett' and 'M.J.Fawcett'), thanking her for her efforts in funding a memorial fountain on London's Embankment to her husband Henry ('not only for the sympathy and consideration shown to my by yourself and others at every stage of the undertaking, but especially for embodying, in a lasting form, the appreciation of his country women... On all grounds then, public & private, I think there is no title he would have been prouder to bear than that of the Friend of Women', the second confirming that the fountain is being put to good use ('It was surrounded by children drinking from it the whole time we were there'), the first with envelope, 4 pages, 8vo, Alde House, Aldeburgh, 28 July [1886] and Bayreuth, 5 August; and autograph letter signed ('Edward Lear'), regretting he is unable to accept her invitations as he is preparing for an exhibition of oil and watercolour landscapes at Frank Lushington's and thanking her for her kindness, 3 pages, 8vo, 33 Norfolk Square, Friday 14 May (7) Footnotes: LETTERS OF GRATITUDE TO A LEADING SUPPORTER OF WOMEN'S EDUCATION. Lady Louisa Goldsmid's 'entire life was devoted to the advancement of women's causes, chief among which was raising the professional status of Victorian women of the middle classes' (Geoffrey Alderman, ODNB). She championed the rights of governesses and worked with other activists in the Langham Place circle such as Emily Davies to obtain the admission of women to university examinations, leading to the creation of Girton College, Cambridge and a campaign to give women the right to gain university degrees. Her wealth and position in society as a well-known London hostess attracted leading figures from the worlds of politics and the arts to her salon and her causes. The fountain she caused to be erected in the memory of the blind educational reformer and economist Henry Fawcett (by, appropriately, a female sculptor) can still be seen on the Embankment. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com