Laid bare, writer’s grief at suicide of son who inspired Wind in Willows
A MOVING letter by Wind In The Willows author Kenneth Grahame about the suicide of his only child is being sold at auction tomorrow.
Sent to his literary agent, Kenneth’s note tells of his overwhelming sorrow at the death of Alastair, who was the inspiration for the children’s classic.
Alastair – who Toad was based on – died aged 19 in 1920 while studying at Oxford University.
Kenneth told Curtis Brown in the letter, valued at £600: “Just a line of true appreciation of your kind words of sympathy with us in our overwhelming sorrow.
“The dear boy went back to Oxford this term so full of new plans and interests, with ‘Mods’ [a set of exams] safely behind him, and liberty to follow a wider range of thought and reading.
“From all we can glean, his last days were specially happy ones. He was laid to rest in Oxford on his 20th birthday.” Twelve years earlier bank worker Kenneth had created Wind In The Willows to read to seven-year-old Alastair at bedtime. The little boy, who was born blind in one eye, was plagued with health problems throughout his childhood.
It is widely acknowledged that Toad’s boisterous personality reflected that of Alastair, who was headstrong and liked mischief.
The letter by his Scottish dad was sent 19 days after his son’s death on a railway.
Kenneth told Curtis his son often recalled a trip to the agent’s house, writing: “His little visit to you was a matter of constant pleasant recollection and the memory of it was cherished by him.”
Kenneth signed the typed letter in black ink.
Andy Stowe, of East Bristol Auctions, is selling the note on behalf of a private collector. He said: “It is rare to see such heartfelt content in a letter from a well-known author.
“This isn’t just ‘fan mail’, this is something much more.”