James Boswell died in 1795 believing he had touched and kissed a cache of Shakespeare's original letters and papers discovered by a Mr. Ireland. His friend, Edmond Malone, publicly exposed the lot as a forgery just a year later.
Francis Cornelius van Aerssen van Sommelsdyck
Francis Cornelius van Aerssen van Sommelsdyck
Born 1725Died 1793
Alias:
Herr van Sommelsdijk und Spyck
François Cornelis
Biography:
Son of Francis van Aerssen van Sommelsdyck (1660-1740), Admiral, a first cousin of Boswell's grandfather, James, and Maria van Aerssen van Wernhout. Married to Everdina Petronella van Hogendorp (1730-1794), Countess of Hogendorp.
In the 17th century the Sommelsdyck family was one of the richest families in the country, owning a third of the Dutch possessions in Surinam. They were probably still quite well off at the time of Boswell's visit.
Life with Boswell:
Boswell met Herr van Sommelsdyck at the Hague on December 24, 1763. Their meeting seems to have been coincidental, although Boswell had planned to visit Sommelsdyck. He was immediately invited to dine with the family, which he did on the next day.
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