Bertram Dobell
Bertram Dobell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Battle, East Sussex, England |
| Died | 14 December 1914 (aged 72) Haverstock Hill, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, editor, literary scholar, poet, essayist, publisher |
| Years active | 1872–1914 |
| Known for | Editing and republishing works by James Thomson and Thomas Traherne; championing lesser-known authors; publishing poetry including early English haiku experiments |
Bertram Dobell (9 January 1842 – 14 December 1914) was a distinguished English bookseller, editor, literary scholar, poet, essayist, and publisher. Mostly self-taught, he emerged as a prominent figure within London's literary community, known for his dedication to publishing and championing lesser-known authors. Dobell was responsible for editing and republishing works by poets including James Thomson and Thomas Traherne, while also contributing original poetry and literary criticism to the cultural discourse of his time.
Early life and family
Bertram Dobell was born in Battle, East Sussex to Edward Dobell, a tailor, and his wife Elizabeth. Receiving minimal formal schooling, he entered the labor market at a young age. On 24 July 1869, he wed Eleanor Wymer (1847–1910), with whom he had five children.
Career in bookselling
Dobell began his professional journey in 1872 by opening a newsagent's store before launching two second-hand bookshops located on Charing Cross Road, London. These establishments earned considerable esteem among book collectors. Beyond retailing, Dobell played an influential role in cultivating the culture of book collecting. Arthur Quiller-Couch commended him for upholding "the good tradition which knits writers, printers, vendors, and purchasers of books together," highlighting how Dobell’s second-hand catalogues were often more captivating than many newly published volumes—and all without charging readers.
Literary connections
Dobell developed important associations with contemporary literary figures, especially the poet James Thomson. He was instrumental in safeguarding Thomson’s poetic heritage through editing and publishing his works.
Death
At the age of 72, Dobell passed away from liver cancer on 14 December 1914 at his residence in Haverstock Hill, London.
Works
Dobell gained recognition as both an author and editor for his editions of poets such as Thomas Traherne—whose manuscripts he uncovered—Shelley, Goldsmith, Strode, and James Thomson.
Although his early publications were issued by other publishers, Dobell eventually established his own publishing imprint. His initial release under this imprint was a more affordable edition of Thomson’s The City of Dreadful Night in 1899. This was followed by a privately printed volume of his own poetry titled Rosemary and Pansies (1901), which he expanded in 1904. The collection received acclaim for its sharp satires and epigrams and included some of the earliest English experiments with the Japanese poetic form now known as haiku.
Additional significant works include A Century of Sonnets (1910) as well as biographical studies like Sidelights on Charles Lamb (1903) and The Laureate of Pessimism: A Sketch of the Life of James Thomson (1910).