A poet’s love: John Keats letter to Fanny Brawne, bought for £70,000 goes on show at house

Published: 02 June 2011
by TOM FOOT

A LOVE note from poet John Keats to Fanny Brawne has gone on public display for the first time in almost 200 years, writes Tom Foot.

The letter, written by the poet as he lay dying from tuberculosis, can be seen at Keats House, in Hampstead, until August 27.

The one-page letter had never been seen in public until a few months ago when an American private collector put it up for sale at auction.

It was bought for £70,000 by the City of London Corporation, which manages Keats House.

Michael Welbank, chairman of Keats House management committee, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to display the letter where it was written. Keats is a hugely important part of our cultural landscape.”

In the letter, Keats wrote: “I shall Kiss your name and mine where your Lips have been – Lips! why should a poor prisoner as I am talk about such things.” He said his “consolation” was “in the certainty of your affection”.

“You had better not come today,” Keats scribbled on the outside of the letter. He was dying of TB and wanted to protect the love of his life from infection.

A LOVE note from poet John Keats to Fanny Brawne has gone on public display for the first time in almost 200 years, writes Tom Foot.

The letter, written by the poet as he lay dying from tuberculosis, can be seen at Keats House, in Hampstead, until August 27.

The one-page letter had never been seen in public until a few months ago when an American private collector put it up for sale at auction.

It was bought for £70,000 by the City of London Corporation, which manages Keats House.

Michael Welbank, chairman of Keats House management committee, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to display the letter where it was written. Keats is a hugely important part of our cultural landscape.”

In the letter, Keats wrote: “I shall Kiss your name and mine where your Lips have been – Lips! why should a poor prisoner as I am talk about such things.” He said his “consolation” was “in the certainty of your affection”.

“You had better not come today,” Keats scribbled on the outside of the letter. He was dying of TB and wanted to protect the love of his life from infection.

Pictured: Poet Benjamin Zephaniah with the letter.