Autograph Letter Signed ("R. B. Cunninghame Graham") to "E. Wrench" [probably John Evelyn Wrench, British author and founder of the Royal Overseas League and the English Speaking Union],

1 1/2 pages 8vo, Devonshire Club, St. James's, 20 October 1916.

Cunninghame Graham writes in the midst of preparations for a trip to South America to E. Wrench urging continued (undoubtedly) political wranglings: "... Pray excuse haste as I am making arrangements to return to S. America. Trusting you will "stick at it" and bring the matter to a head."

Cunninghame Graham lived his life with tireless energy, he was (among numerous other things): a great adventurer and gaucho in South America (who earned his fortune cattle ranching as well as the nickname 'Don Roberto'); a socialist Scottish politician (a Liberal MP in England; a founder, and the first president, of the Scottish Labour Party; a founder of the National Party of Scotland in 1928; as well as becoming the first president of the Scottish National Party in 1934); a fencing master; a writer; horse trainer; gold-prospector (the list goes on). His friend and contemporary Joseph Conrad remarked, “When I think of Cunninghame Graham, I feel as though I have lived all my life in a dark hole without seeing or knowing anything.”

This letter (although the subject he refers to is obscured) captures some of the boundless energy and restless campaigning of his life.

Near fine.

Stock Code: 227727