Letters Written by Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, to His Son, Philip Stanhope 1775 [2 vols]

Philip Dormer Stanhope, the Earl of Chesterfield’s Letters Written by the Late Right Honourable Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, to His Son, Philip Stanhope, stands as one of the most influential and controversial conduct books of the eighteenth century. This four-volume collection presents the private correspondence spanning over three decades, from 1737 until the earl’s death in 1768, offering an intimate window into the education of a young gentleman navigating aristocratic society.

The letters were published posthumously by Eugenia Stanhope, the widow of Chesterfield’s son Philip. Upon the earl’s death, his son’s secret marriage of ten years was revealed, and although the earl provided for his grandsons, he left nothing to his daughter-in-law. In response, she assembled and published the letters from the originals in her possession. The complete edition comprises approximately four volumes, with variant editions ranging from 204 to 376 pages per volume depending on the printing.

The work presents Chesterfield’s systematic guidance on becoming a gentleman, covering principles of politeness, knowledge of the world, and the arts of conversation and comportment. The letters advocate for the cultivation of grace, wit, and social acumen essential for success in eighteenth-century society. However, the work immediately generated controversy, as critics condemned what they perceived as cynical and amoral values promoting worldly success over moral virtue.

Contemporary reactions varied dramatically across regions. While cosmopolitan readers in London, New York, and Philadelphia eagerly sought the letters, New England readers descended from Puritan traditions expressed strong disapproval. John Adams refused to send a copy to his wife Abigail in 1776, warning that the letters were “stained with libertine Morals and base Principles.” When she later read them, she concurred, finding “the most immoral, pernicious and Libertine principals”.

Despite such criticism, the work’s popularity proved enduring, with numerous editions appearing in London, New York, Philadelphia, and Boston throughout the late eighteenth century. The 1775 edition, whether the third or fifth printing, represents a foundational text in the literature of manners and a revealing document of aristocratic values in the Age of Enlightenment.