Busy Young Fool, Unruly Son? New Light on John Donne Junior

Abstract

This article examines a curious series of letters between the younger John Donne (1604–1663), son of the famous poet, and Edward, second Viscount Conway and Killultagh (1594–1655), one of the most important book collectors of the seventeenth century. It gives brief biographical sketches of Donne and Conway, including new material about the former. It offers the most sustained survey to date of Donne junior’s activities in the middle of the seventeenth century when, as literary executor of the elder John Donne, he was printing many of his father’s works. By presenting previously unpublished manuscript material and making new arguments about the younger Donne’s printed works, the article attempts to salvage Donne from the common view that he was simply a scoundrel or libertine. The article includes full transcripts of four autograph Donne letters not previously printed, partial transcripts of two such letters, and extracts from other documents that help explicate Donne’s role as an agent, a newsgatherer and a supplicant for patronage. Donne’s position as Conway’s client, circulating manuscripts, books and luxury goods, helps explain the workings of late Renaissance patronage and gift-culture. Donne was also a witty coterie poet; the article presents new evidence about the circumstances surrounding the publication of William Davenant’s Gondibert, and the reaction it caused among John Denham’s circle. Finally, using apparently innocuous comments about birds, doctors and court gossip, the article explores the possibility that Donne played a role in the circulation of intelligence among Cavalier social circles during the Civil War.