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My Great Great Uncle Edward FitzGerald was a contemporary of Thackray and Dickens and one of their circle of Genteman Pals, so to speak, and gathered a modicum of literary fame for his translation of the works of Omar Kyamm, the Persian Astonomer/Poet of the 11th century. One famous line from his poem is the immortal "The moving finger writes, and having writ, moves on...."

There are many interesting snippets from his life that I could mention, but won't (sighs of relief!) but I did want to share with you an exciting purchase that we have made from New Jersey. The package arrived today - in seven fine volumes The Letters and Literary Remains of Edward Fitzgerald, one of a run of 775 copies published in 1903.

It wasn't cheap, but they are beautiful books and already I've been very excited by the new discovery of some very fine poetry, something I have been looking to get to grips with for a while.

It's uncanny in a way having such intimate and extensive insight into the family past, but it looks to be something that won't be a bore to read, but actually a real pleasure.

Just thought I'd share the moment! :D

That aquisition sounds nice. You will have to show me them next time I am passing! Let me know how interesting they are after you have read them.

ttfn

Here's a quatrain from the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, as translated by Edward Fitzgerald, with a fair amount of poetic licence I understand:

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.

johnriley1uk wrote:The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.

A very famous quote indeed. I have heard that from other sources but I never realised where it was from. In fact I think that was quoted in a War and Peace but don't quote me on that one.

Another update, as the fascinating FitzGerald Trail continues. I have now downloaded pictures of the Fitzgerald Mausoleum, in a churchyard in Suffolk, The Edward FitzGerald Monument in same location and details of the church which contains within it three more monuments. Check out a search for FitzGerald on http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk This will also locate the FitzGerald Cottage where EFG lived for many years.

Sue and I are planning a history trail holiday to Suffolk in March or April next year, and hopefully we might be able to arrange access to the interior of the mausoleum. Should be interesting!

I have now produced a montage of a quatrain from Omar Khayyam, previously posted, a picture of "Old Fitz" and his cottage at Boulge. We will be heading for Boulge next year, but for now I hope you like my montage:

It's a lovely piece of family history: it almost makes me want to investigate my own family tree and see what lurks there, as I never did know much about my mother's side. Going round a mausoleum would freak me out a little, though.

That's very interesting John. I like the montage as well.

How did you begin the task of researching your family history?

I started finding out about the family by listening to what the oldest ones wanted to talk about - which, although mixed up with a lot of repetition, actually gave me a lot of info.

The project is a long term one, not a constant one, but in the case of EFG made much easier because the Victorians were rather fond of him as a poet and a "character" and wrote lots of books about him!

I am currently reading "The Letters and Literary Remains of Edward FitzGerald" (7 volumes, 1902) which gives masses of leads and is contemporary with his peers - Tennyson, Carlyle, Dickens, Wordsworth, etc. Did you know Wordsworth lectured and got ?50 per lecture - he was making a fortune in 1859....

I also like the montage. I don't think I have ever seen a picture of EFG before.

I was given a book of selected letters and explainations of Edward Fitzgerald. I will let you know what I think when I have read them! It looks to be a very interesting book.