Ruth Derham Knihy

The collection presents the early letters of Lionel Johnson, a prominent Decadent poet, revealing a more personal side of him as a compassionate individual eager to support others. Edited by his friend Frank Russell, the letters aim to showcase the "true Lionel" beyond his later literary persona. However, the anonymization of correspondents raises questions about what was omitted and whether Russell sought to hide certain elements of their friendship. This exploration delves into the complexities of Johnson's character and the nuances of his relationships.

Frank Russell was the grandson of Prime Minister Lord John Russell and elder brother of philosopher Bertrand. He was, in his own right, a radical political reformer and outspoken self-determined moralist. He was also a serial adulterer and convicted bigamist, sent down from Oxford for supposed homosexual practices.

A fascinating, revealing examination of divorce in Victorian Britain - and what it meant for society as a whole. It is a story of high drama, humour, pathos and tragedy, brimming with moral comment that throws a light on the preoccupations of the age.