Description
Handwritten letter signed by Thomas Henry Burke and dated 1868. Letterhead with embossment seal of Irish Office. A bit more rumpled than typical letters from period. Measures 4.5″ x 7.25″.
From the collection of Captain Peter Johnston-Saint, who worked for many years as an agent collecting on behalf of Sir Henry Wellcome. This collection was purchased at the Sotheby’s December 10th, 2019 sale.
Thomas Henry Burke (29 May 1829 – 6 May 1882) was Permanent Under Secretary at the Irish Office for many years before being killed during the Phoenix Park Murders on Saturday 6 May 1882. The killing was carried out by an Irish republican organisation called the Irish National Invincibles. The newly appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland Lord Frederick Cavendish, although not the intended victim, was assassinated alongside him while they walked through Phoenix Park in Dublin.
