John Sterling letters to the Fox family. 1840-1844

Collection primarily of letters, and copies of letters, by John Sterling to members of the Fox family in the last four years before his death, mostly on social, philosophical, and religious subjects. The four letters in Sterling's hand are to Anna Maria Fox, with whom he discusses the progress of his writing; the literature of Goethe and Schiller; and his thoughts on religion, his friends, and his newly widowed state. The remaining correspondence consists of copies by Caroline Fox. A set of letters to his son Edward while Edward was at school in London instructs him on the importance of learning German and mathematics; reminisces about his own youth and young adulthood in London; and offers his thoughts on the purpose of human existence and on growing old. Several letters to Barclay Fox discuss theology, his work, his illness, and reflections on death; a small handstitched booklet titled "Hints of a Hermit to a Young Poet" contains extracts and summaries of other letters to Barclay on similar subjects; and a letter to his sister-in-law directs her to dispose of his letters and papers after his death

The collection also contains letters by other members of the Sterling family to the Foxes containing primarily social correspondence concerning Sterling; letters from Caroline Fox to friends and family about Sterling's ill heath and his death; a letter from Frederick D. Maurice describing Sterling's final days; and a copy of extracts from Barclay Fox's journal which pertain to his friendship with Sterling