Byron letters set auction record

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The collection offers an insight into Byron’s life

A collection of letters written by Lord Byron have been sold for £277,250 – a world auction record for any group of letters by a British Romantic poet.

Part of a collection from the library of former Prime Minister, the fifth Earl of Rosebery, they had been tipped to fetch no more than £180,000.

The letters, written to Byron’s friend and "brother minstrel" Francis Hodgson, were purchased by an anonymous bidder.

A Sotheby’s specialist said the London auction house was "delighted".

"The pre-sale interest in the collection has been extremely enthusiastic, demonstrating just how prominent Lord Byron remains in the literary canon," said Gabriel Heaton.

The letters’ sale, he added, "offered a wonderful opportunity to reveal aspects of Lord Byron’s character that were either unknown or long-forgotten".

The collection features 71 pages of complete letters and fragments, offering insights into the poet’s life and work between 1808 and 1821.

Several of the writings – which include musings on romance, religion and the death of his dog – have never been published.