"I DO NOT FEEL THAT THE ABDICATION OF KING EDWARD WAS A GOOD THING" NICOLSON (Sir Harold, 1886-1968, Diplomatist, Author & Critic, husband of Vita SACKVILLE-WEST)

Typed letter signed to Dr Madol apologising for "not having been able to put you in touch with Malcolm MacDonald. I failed to catch him in the House of Commons after our interview; and on the following day both he and I left for the country. I am very grateful indeed for the enclosed article and can only express my admiration for the accuracy and fairness which you have shown. There are only two suggestions I would wish to make. Would you mind cutting out the reference to Ramsay MacDonald on page 4. The essential tragedy is that the poor old man knows that he is tragic. It is a terrible thing after such a long life of struggles nd success to realise that one is regarded by one's enemies as a traitor and by one's few friends as King Lear. I would not like him to feel that I had spoken (however sympathetically) of this aspect of his life ... the second point refers to my reference to King Edward. Could you possibly substitute for the word 'good' the word 'inevitable'? I do not feel that the abdication of King Edward was a good thing since I fear that it has shaken certain important legends and sentiments ...", 1 side 4to., 4 King's Bench Walk, EC4, 19th March

Nicolson entered the House of Commons as National Labour Member of Parliament for Leicester West in the 1935 election. In the latter half of the 1930s he was among a relatively small number of MPs who alerted the country to the threat of fascism.

Item Date:  1937

Stock No:  39842     

                


NICOLSON-39842-1.jpg

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