The Letters Of John B. S. Morritt Of Rokeby

The Letters of John B. S. Morritt of Rokeby is a collection of letters written by John Bacon Sawrey Morritt during his Grand Tour from 1794-1796. The letters were edited by G. E. Marindin and published in 1914. Morritt inherited the Rokeby estate in County Durham in 1790 and used his considerable fortune to travel to Constantinople, Troy, the Greek islands, Crete, Naples, Rome, and Venice. He developed a love for European art and culture and was well-educated in Greek and Latin literature. Despite the dangers of traveling during the French Revolutionary Wars, Morritt was undeterred and his editor describes him as an excellent traveler.

This works is an account by John Bacon Sawrey Morritt (1771-1843), traveller, classical scholar and friend of Sir Walter Scott, of his Grand Tour during the years 1794-6. His letters home were edited by G. E. Marindin (1841-1939) and published in 1914. In 1790 Morritt inherited the Rokeby estate, County Durham, and came into a considerable fortune. Educated at St John's College, Cambridge, he graduated in 1794, and soon afterwards set out for the continent. Visiting Constantinople, Troy, the Greek islands, Crete, Naples, Rome and Venice, Morritt developed a lifelong passion for European art and culture (he purchased the Rokeby Venus in 1813). He was well-read in Greek and Latin literature, had a considerable taste for antiquarian research, and was undeterred by the dangers of traversing Europe during the French Revolutionary Wars. According to his editor, 'it would be difficult to imagine a better traveller'.