Ernest Dowson - Revision history

Prue at 06:36, 20 March 2024

2024-03-20T06:36:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:36, 20 March 2024
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	==References==		==References==

	[[Category:Official Encyclopedia]][[Category:People]][[Category:People: British]][[Category:People: Deceased]][[Category:People: Adult or Minor sexually attracted to or involved with the other]][[Category:People: Popular Authors]][[Category: People: Historical minor-attracted figures]][[Category:History & Events: British]]		[[Category:Official Encyclopedia]][[Category:People]][[Category:People: British]][[Category:People: Deceased]][[Category:People: Adult or Minor sexually attracted to or involved with the other]][[Category:People: Popular Authors]][[Category:People: Artists and Poets]][[Category: People: Historical minor-attracted figures]][[Category:History & Events: British]]

The Admins at 19:24, 26 March 2023

2023-03-26T19:24:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:24, 26 March 2023
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	In November 1889, Dowson entered a cheap Polish restaurant held by Joseph Foltinowicz, located at 19 Sherwood Street in Soho (London), at the back of the present Regent Palace Hotel. “''I discovered it. It is cheap; the cuisine is fair; I am the whole clientele, and there is a little Polish demoiselle therein (Minnie at 5st 7 — not quite that) whom it is a pleasure to sit & look at.''” (Letters, no. 73). The “little Polish demoiselle” was Adelaide, the proprietor’s daughter, aged 11 and a half years, whom he nicknamed “Missie” or “Missy”. He would soon fall in love with her and, quite unexpectedly, he would continue to love her as she grew into her teens (cf. the poem [https://agapeta.art/2022/05/06/growth-by-ernest-dowson/#more-2665 Growth]). Although she rejected his marriage proposal and eventually married another man in 1897, his feelings for her did not abate.		In November 1889, Dowson entered a cheap Polish restaurant held by Joseph Foltinowicz, located at 19 Sherwood Street in Soho (London), at the back of the present Regent Palace Hotel. “''I discovered it. It is cheap; the cuisine is fair; I am the whole clientele, and there is a little Polish demoiselle therein (Minnie at 5st 7 — not quite that) whom it is a pleasure to sit & look at.''” (Letters, no. 73). The “little Polish demoiselle” was Adelaide, the proprietor’s daughter, aged 11 and a half years, whom he nicknamed “Missie” or “Missy”. He would soon fall in love with her and, quite unexpectedly, he would continue to love her as she grew into her teens (cf. the poem [https://agapeta.art/2022/05/06/growth-by-ernest-dowson/#more-2665 Growth]). Although she rejected his marriage proposal and eventually married another man in 1897, his feelings for her did not abate.

	Soon after Dowson met her, she became the center of his life. His first volume of poetry, ''Verses'', includes ''Preface: For Adelaide'', starting with the words “''To you, who are my verses''.” A few lines below we read “''For I need not write your name for you at least to know that this and all my work is made for you in the first place'.'” Writing to Arthur Moore on February 16, 1890 (Letters, no. 89, pages 137–138), he presents her childhood as soothing the sufferings of his life:		Soon after Dowson met her, she became the center of his life. His first volume of poetry, ''Verses'', includes ''Preface: For Adelaide'', starting with the words “''To you, who are my verses''.” A few lines below we read “''For I need not write your name for you at least to know that this and all my work is made for you in the first place''.” Writing to Arthur Moore on February 16, 1890 (Letters, no. 89, pages 137–138), he presents her childhood as soothing the sufferings of his life:

	<blockquote>''Certainly the mere friendliness of a child has some such effect on me — seems to me at times to be not merely a set-off against one’s innumerable unliquidated claims against life but a quite final satisfaction of them — an absolute end in itself.''		<blockquote>''Certainly the mere friendliness of a child has some such effect on me — seems to me at times to be not merely a set-off against one’s innumerable unliquidated claims against life but a quite final satisfaction of them — an absolute end in itself.''

The Admins at 11:59, 8 March 2023

2023-03-08T11:59:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:59, 8 March 2023
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	Envisaging his breakfast and his dissatisfaction with whiskey and “phiz,” he adds:		Envisaging his breakfast and his dissatisfaction with whiskey and “phiz,” he adds:

	<blockquote>'' there is nothing in the universe supportable save the novels of Hy. James [Henry James], & the society of little girls.''</blockquote>		<blockquote>'' there is nothing in the universe supportable save the novels of Hy. James ''[Henry James]'', & the society of little girls.''</blockquote>

	==Loving Adelaide==		==Loving Adelaide==

JohnHolt: /* Legacy */

2023-03-07T20:54:26Z

Legacy

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:54, 7 March 2023
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	''Within a dream.''		''Within a dream.''

			– '''From ''"Vitae Summa Brevis"'' (1896)'''
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>
	~~– From "Vitae Summa Brevis" (1896)~~

	==References==		==References==

	[[Category:Official Encyclopedia]][[Category:People]][[Category:People: British]][[Category:People: Deceased]][[Category:People: Adult or Minor sexually attracted to or involved with the other]][[Category:People: Popular Authors]][[Category: People: Historical minor-attracted figures]][[Category:History & Events: British]]		[[Category:Official Encyclopedia]][[Category:People]][[Category:People: British]][[Category:People: Deceased]][[Category:People: Adult or Minor sexually attracted to or involved with the other]][[Category:People: Popular Authors]][[Category: People: Historical minor-attracted figures]][[Category:History & Events: British]]

JohnHolt: /* Legacy */

2023-03-07T20:52:32Z

Legacy

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:52, 7 March 2023
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	Dowson's gravestone was restored on August 2, 2010, on the 143rd anniversary of Dowson’s birth.<ref>[https://agapeta.art/2021/02/22/dowsons-grave/ On Dowson's grave restoration.]</ref> The new gravestone includes a plaque which added his most well-known poetry verse:		Dowson's gravestone was restored on August 2, 2010, on the 143rd anniversary of Dowson’s birth.<ref>[https://agapeta.art/2021/02/22/dowsons-grave/ On Dowson's grave restoration.]</ref> The new gravestone includes a plaque which added his most well-known poetry verse:
			<blockquote>
			''They are not long, the days of wine and roses:''

	''~~They are not long, the days of wine and roses:~~		''Out of a misty dream''
	Out of a misty dream
	~~Our path emerges for a while, then closes~~
	~~Within a dream.~~''

			''Our path emerges for a while, then closes''

			''Within a dream.''
			</blockquote>
	– From "Vitae Summa Brevis" (1896)		– From "Vitae Summa Brevis" (1896)

JohnHolt: de italicize

2023-03-07T20:49:19Z

de italicize

Prue at 01:27, 7 March 2023

2023-03-07T01:27:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:27, 7 March 2023
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	[[File:Ernest Dowson photo.jpg\|thumb\|Ernest Dowson]]__NOTOC__		[[File:Ernest Dowson photo.jpg\|thumb\|Ernest Dowson]]__NOTOC__
	'''Ernest Christopher Dowson''' (2 August 1867 – 23 February 1900) was an English / British poet, novelist, and short-story writer who is often associated with the Decadent movement<ref>[http://Wikipedia%20on%20the%20Decadent%20movement. Wikipedia on the Decadent movement.]</ref>, alongside writers such as [[Oscar Wilde]]. Dowson was a lover of young girls, and expressed his deep feelings for them in several of his poems, notably those from his three collections ''Poésie Schublade'', ''Verses''<ref>[https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8497 Ernest Dowson: Verses, in Ernest Dowson Collected Poems, R. K. R. Thornton with Caroline Dowson (editors), University of Birmingham Press (2003). Also in The Poems and Prose of Ernest Dowson, With a Memoir by Arthur Symons, Project Gutenberg Ebook.]</ref>, and ''Decorations''. More insight can be gained from his correspondence, namely ''The Letters of Ernest Dowson'' (1967)<ref>''The Letters of Ernest Dowson, Desmond Flower and Henry Maas'' (editors), Fairleigh Dickinson University Press (1967).</ref> and ''New Letters from Ernest Dowson'' (1984).<ref>''New Letters from Ernest Dowson'', Desmond Flower (editor), The Whittington Press (1984).</ref> These sources are used throughout this page, as well as quotes from Agapeta, and often include French phrases as Dowson spoke the language fluently.		'''Ernest Christopher Dowson''' (2 August 1867 – 23 February 1900) was an English / British poet, novelist, and short-story writer who is often associated with the Decadent movement<ref>[http://Wikipedia%20on%20the%20Decadent%20movement. Wikipedia on the Decadent movement.]</ref>, alongside writers such as [[Oscar Wilde]]. Dowson was a lover of young girls, and expressed his deep feelings for them in several of his poems, notably those from his three collections ''Poésie Schublade'', ''Verses''<ref>[https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8497 Ernest Dowson: Verses, in Ernest Dowson Collected Poems, R. K. R. Thornton with Caroline Dowson (editors), University of Birmingham Press (2003). Also in The Poems and Prose of Ernest Dowson, With a Memoir by Arthur Symons, Project Gutenberg Ebook.]</ref>, and ''Decorations''. More insight can be gained from his correspondence, namely ''The Letters of Ernest Dowson'' (1967)<ref>''The Letters of Ernest Dowson, Desmond Flower and Henry Maas'' (editors), Fairleigh Dickinson University Press (1967).</ref> and ''New Letters from Ernest Dowson'' (1984).<ref>''New Letters from Ernest Dowson'', Desmond Flower (editor), The Whittington Press (1984).</ref> These sources are used throughout this page, as well as quotes from [https://agapeta.art/ Agapeta], and often include French phrases as Dowson spoke the language fluently.

	In 1889, aged 22, Dowson became infatuated with an 11-year-old female, '''Adelaide "Missie" Foltinowicz''', the daughter of a Polish restaurant-owner. In 1893, he proposed to Foltinowicz, who was then aged 15, but was rejected. She later married a tailor who had worked at her father's restaurant, Augustus Noelte, in 1897. Dowson was a member of the Rhymers’ Club<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhymers%27_Club Wikipedia on the Rhymers' Club.]</ref> (London) with W.B. Yeats and Arthur Symons, and the love / infatuation he felt for Adelaide inspired him to write poetry, some lines of which he is now best known for. Dowson lived an active social life but also lived mostly in poverty, eventually suffering the death of both his parents. His father suffered with tuberculosis and killed himself with a drug overdose (chloral hydrate), while his mother, who had a history of what would now be called mental illness, subsequently hanged herself after contracting the same disease. Dowson's life was marked by ecstasy and despair, with his poems reflecting the themes of childhood and unrequited love, being the source of the phrases “gone with the wind” and “days of wine and roses.” After returning to London to live with the Foltinowicz family in 1897, he was found virtually penniless by writer and Wilde biographer Robert Sherard in 1899. Sherard took him to live at his cottage, where Dowson spent the last 6 weeks of his life, dying of tuberculosis at the age of 32. A few years later, Adelaide died of a botched abortion in 1903.		In 1889, aged 22, Dowson became infatuated with an 11-year-old female, '''Adelaide "Missie" Foltinowicz''', the daughter of a Polish restaurant-owner. In 1893, he proposed to Foltinowicz, who was then aged 15, but was rejected. She later married a tailor who had worked at her father's restaurant, Augustus Noelte, in 1897. Dowson was a member of the Rhymers’ Club<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhymers%27_Club Wikipedia on the Rhymers' Club.]</ref> (London) with W.B. Yeats and Arthur Symons, and the love / infatuation he felt for Adelaide inspired him to write poetry, some lines of which he is now best known for. Dowson lived an active social life but also lived mostly in poverty, eventually suffering the death of both his parents. His father suffered with tuberculosis and killed himself with a drug overdose (chloral hydrate), while his mother, who had a history of what would now be called mental illness, subsequently hanged herself after contracting the same disease. Dowson's life was marked by ecstasy and despair, with his poems reflecting the themes of childhood and unrequited love, being the source of the phrases “gone with the wind” and “days of wine and roses.” After returning to London to live with the Foltinowicz family in 1897, he was found virtually penniless by writer and Wilde biographer Robert Sherard in 1899. Sherard took him to live at his cottage, where Dowson spent the last 6 weeks of his life, dying of tuberculosis at the age of 32. A few years later, Adelaide died of a botched abortion in 1903.

Prue at 01:09, 7 March 2023

2023-03-07T01:09:02Z

Show changes

The Admins at 12:30, 6 March 2023

2023-03-06T12:30:13Z

Prue: /* Loving Adelaide */

2023-03-06T06:27:34Z

Loving Adelaide

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:27, 6 March 2023
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	==Loving Adelaide==		==Loving Adelaide==

	In November 1889, Downson entered a cheap Polish restaurant held by Joseph Foltinowicz, located at 19 Sherwood Street in Soho (London), at the back of the present Regent Palace Hotel. “''I discovered it. It is cheap; the cuisine is fair; I am the whole clientele, and there is a little Polish demoiselle therein (Minnie at 5st 7 — not quite that) whom it is a pleasure to sit & look at.''” (Letters, no. 73) The “little Polish demoiselle” was Adelaide, the proprietor’s daughter, aged eleven and a half years, whom he nicknamed “Missie” or “Missy”. He would soon fall in love with her and, quite unexpectedly, he would continue to love her as she grew into her teens (cf. the poem Growth). Although she rejected his marriage proposal and eventually married another man in 1897, his feelings for her did not abate.		In November 1889, Downson entered a cheap Polish restaurant held by Joseph Foltinowicz, located at 19 Sherwood Street in Soho (London), at the back of the present Regent Palace Hotel. “''I discovered it. It is cheap; the cuisine is fair; I am the whole clientele, and there is a little Polish demoiselle therein (Minnie at 5st 7 — not quite that) whom it is a pleasure to sit & look at.''” (Letters, no. 73) The “little Polish demoiselle” was Adelaide, the proprietor’s daughter, aged eleven and a half years, whom he nicknamed “Missie” or “Missy”. He would soon fall in love with her and, quite unexpectedly, he would continue to love her as she grew into her teens (cf. the poem [https://agapeta.art/2022/05/06/growth-by-ernest-dowson/#more-2665 Growth]). Although she rejected his marriage proposal and eventually married another man in 1897, his feelings for her did not abate.

	Soon after Dowson met her, she became the center of his life. His first volume of poetry, ''Verses'', includes ''Preface: For Adelaide'', starting with the words “''To you, who are my verses''.” A few lines below we read “''For I need not write your name for you at least to know that this and all my work is made for you in the first place'.'” Writing to Arthur Moore on February 16, 1890 (Letters, no. 89, pages 137–138), he presents her childhood as soothing the sufferings of his life:		Soon after Dowson met her, she became the center of his life. His first volume of poetry, ''Verses'', includes ''Preface: For Adelaide'', starting with the words “''To you, who are my verses''.” A few lines below we read “''For I need not write your name for you at least to know that this and all my work is made for you in the first place'.'” Writing to Arthur Moore on February 16, 1890 (Letters, no. 89, pages 137–138), he presents her childhood as soothing the sufferings of his life:

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:49, 7 March 2023
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	<blockquote>''Depend upon it there is something radically weak in a woman’s brain. One should only know them carnally — I doubt if one can know them otherwise.''		<blockquote>''Depend upon it there is something radically weak in a woman’s brain. One should only know them carnally — I doubt if one can know them otherwise.''
	''[...]''		[...]
	''The biblical use of the word “know” — in reference to a woman is full of suggestion.''		''The biblical use of the word “know” — in reference to a woman is full of suggestion.''
	''[...]''		[...]
	''What a charming world it would be if they did not exist — or rather if they never grew into their teens. And yet it is a folly to try & escape from them.''		''What a charming world it would be if they did not exist — or rather if they never grew into their teens. And yet it is a folly to try & escape from them.''
	''[...]''		[...]
	''Or one might adopt a child & cease to trouble about them—only then she would grow up — (for of course it would be she — was there ever an unobjectionable small boy?—) & so one’s last state would be a million times worse than one’s first.''</blockquote>		''Or one might adopt a child & cease to trouble about them—only then she would grow up — (for of course it would be she — was there ever an unobjectionable small boy?—) & so one’s last state would be a million times worse than one’s first.''</blockquote>

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	<blockquote>''Certainly the mere friendliness of a child has some such effect on me — seems to me at times to be not merely a set-off against one’s innumerable unliquidated claims against life but a quite final satisfaction of them — an absolute end in itself.''		<blockquote>''Certainly the mere friendliness of a child has some such effect on me — seems to me at times to be not merely a set-off against one’s innumerable unliquidated claims against life but a quite final satisfaction of them — an absolute end in itself.''
	''[...]''		[...]
	''there is after all nothing so important as that one should be constantly trying to multiply these moments & to make them last.''</blockquote>		''there is after all nothing so important as that one should be constantly trying to multiply these moments & to make them last.''</blockquote>

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	Then on March 4, 1890 (Letters, no. 92, page 140):		Then on March 4, 1890 (Letters, no. 92, page 140):

	<blockquote>''La pétite would not allow me to sit in my usual place but led me up above the salt to the fireside table You can imagine how “gratted & flattified” I was. [...] She is the most charming little chatterbox & we are quite on a footing of vieils amis by this time.''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''La pétite would not allow me to sit in my usual place but led me up above the salt to the fireside table You can imagine how “gratted & flattified” I was. ''[...]'' She is the most charming little chatterbox & we are quite on a footing of vieils amis by this time.''</blockquote>

	He took Adelaide out to various entertainments: theater shows, an “Egyptian” scene of magic, a panoramic show of the Niagara Falls, Madame Tussaud’s wax museum and Hengler’s circus; he also sent her the works of [[Charles_Dodgson\|Lewis Carroll]].		He took Adelaide out to various entertainments: theater shows, an “Egyptian” scene of magic, a panoramic show of the Niagara Falls, Madame Tussaud’s wax museum and Hengler’s circus; he also sent her the works of [[Charles_Dodgson\|Lewis Carroll]].
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	Like most Polish people, the Foltinowicz family were Catholic, and Dowson went to admire Adelaide when she participated in processions. He wrote to Moore on October 19, 1890 (Letters, no. 123, pages 172-173):		Like most Polish people, the Foltinowicz family were Catholic, and Dowson went to admire Adelaide when she participated in processions. He wrote to Moore on October 19, 1890 (Letters, no. 123, pages 172-173):

	<blockquote>''You ought to have come to N.D. de France tonight. There was a procession after Vespers of the Enfants de Marie & I just managed to discern my special Enfant in spite of her veil [...] It was a wonderful & beautiful situation: the church [...] the long line of graceful little girls all with their white veils over their heads [...] Childrens voices in concert are wonderful! Children’s voices exercised in the “Ave Maris Stella”, are the most beautiful things in the world.''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''You ought to have come to N.D. de France tonight. There was a procession after Vespers of the Enfants de Marie & I just managed to discern my special Enfant in spite of her veil ''[...]'' It was a wonderful & beautiful situation: the church ''[...]'' the long line of graceful little girls all with their white veils over their heads ''[...]'' Childrens voices in concert are wonderful! Children’s voices exercised in the “Ave Maris Stella”, are the most beautiful things in the world.''</blockquote>

	Flower and Maas conclude the Introduction to Part II of ''Letters'' (1967) with the following (page 128):		Flower and Maas conclude the Introduction to Part II of ''Letters'' (1967) with the following (page 128):
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	Dowson decided to propose to Adelaide by her 14th birthday, but struggled with nerves, indecision, and being rejected by multiple employers while the income from his family's business declined. Afraid he would lose his chance to be with a female he had loved and remained attracted to, he explained his resolution to Moore in January 1892 (Letters, no. 173, page 221):		Dowson decided to propose to Adelaide by her 14th birthday, but struggled with nerves, indecision, and being rejected by multiple employers while the income from his family's business declined. Afraid he would lose his chance to be with a female he had loved and remained attracted to, he explained his resolution to Moore in January 1892 (Letters, no. 173, page 221):

	<blockquote>''I will put an end to this absurd pretense of further consideration which deceives nobody and plainly declare myself. [...] I do not believe in marriage in the abstract in the least. Only it is the price, perhaps a heavy one, which one is ordered to pay [...] In the present case I would pay it ten times over, sooner than risk the possibility of some time or other regretting that I had let go irrevocably something which promised a good deal, which I never had, & which is perhaps after all the best thing obtainable in this stupid world''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''I will put an end to this absurd pretense of further consideration which deceives nobody and plainly declare myself.'' [...] ''I do not believe in marriage in the abstract in the least. Only it is the price, perhaps a heavy one, which one is ordered to pay'' [...] ''In the present case I would pay it ten times over, sooner than risk the possibility of some time or other regretting that I had let go irrevocably something which promised a good deal, which I never had, & which is perhaps after all the best thing obtainable in this stupid world''</blockquote>

	However, he would have to be in a position to support Adelaide and offer her a home if he were to expect his proposal to be accepted. The situation was complicated by the declining health of Joseph Foltinowicz, Adelaide’s father, and he proposed at what Flower and Maas describe as "the worst time" - just after Adelaide's father died. Dowson thought he would be too nervous to propose until Adelaide reached 17, and recalled that she was not surprised or angry with him after his proposal, but thought he should have waited until she was older. After Dowson's parents committed suicide, Dowson was embroiled in legal battles to obtain inheritance and was rejected by a 3rd employer. Being continually rejected, London became intolerable and he left. Living mostly in France, he still exchanged letters with Adelaide (Letters, no. 335, page 362: To Victor Plarr, May 1896):		However, he would have to be in a position to support Adelaide and offer her a home if he were to expect his proposal to be accepted. The situation was complicated by the declining health of Joseph Foltinowicz, Adelaide’s father, and he proposed at what Flower and Maas describe as "the worst time" - just after Adelaide's father died. Dowson thought he would be too nervous to propose until Adelaide reached 17, and recalled that she was not surprised or angry with him after his proposal, but thought he should have waited until she was older. After Dowson's parents committed suicide, Dowson was embroiled in legal battles to obtain inheritance and was rejected by a 3rd employer. Being continually rejected, London became intolerable and he left. Living mostly in France, he still exchanged letters with Adelaide (Letters, no. 335, page 362: To Victor Plarr, May 1896):

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:30, 6 March 2023
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	[[File:Ernest Dowson photo.jpg\|thumb\|Ernest Dowson]]		[[File:Ernest Dowson photo.jpg\|thumb\|Ernest Dowson]]__NOTOC__
	'''Ernest Christopher Dowson''' (2 August 1867 – 23 February 1900) was an English / British poet, novelist, and short-story writer who is often associated with the Decadent movement<ref>[http://Wikipedia%20on%20the%20Decadent%20movement. Wikipedia on the Decadent movement.]</ref>, alongside writers such as [[Oscar Wilde]]. Dowson was a lover of young girls, and expressed his deep feelings for them in several of his poems, notably those from his three collections ''Poésie Schublade'', ''Verses''<ref>[https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8497 Ernest Dowson: Verses, in Ernest Dowson Collected Poems, R. K. R. Thornton with Caroline Dowson (editors), University of Birmingham Press (2003). Also in The Poems and Prose of Ernest Dowson, With a Memoir by Arthur Symons, Project Gutenberg Ebook.]</ref>, and ''Decorations''. More insight can be gained from his correspondence, namely ''The Letters of Ernest Dowson'' (1967)<ref>''The Letters of Ernest Dowson, Desmond Flower and Henry Maas'' (editors), Fairleigh Dickinson University Press (1967).</ref> and ''New Letters from Ernest Dowson'' (1984).<ref>''New Letters from Ernest Dowson'', Desmond Flower (editor), The Whittington Press (1984).</ref> These sources are used throughout this page, as well as quotes from Agapeta, and often include French phrases as Dowson spoke the language fluently.		'''Ernest Christopher Dowson''' (2 August 1867 – 23 February 1900) was an English / British poet, novelist, and short-story writer who is often associated with the Decadent movement<ref>[http://Wikipedia%20on%20the%20Decadent%20movement. Wikipedia on the Decadent movement.]</ref>, alongside writers such as [[Oscar Wilde]]. Dowson was a lover of young girls, and expressed his deep feelings for them in several of his poems, notably those from his three collections ''Poésie Schublade'', ''Verses''<ref>[https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8497 Ernest Dowson: Verses, in Ernest Dowson Collected Poems, R. K. R. Thornton with Caroline Dowson (editors), University of Birmingham Press (2003). Also in The Poems and Prose of Ernest Dowson, With a Memoir by Arthur Symons, Project Gutenberg Ebook.]</ref>, and ''Decorations''. More insight can be gained from his correspondence, namely ''The Letters of Ernest Dowson'' (1967)<ref>''The Letters of Ernest Dowson, Desmond Flower and Henry Maas'' (editors), Fairleigh Dickinson University Press (1967).</ref> and ''New Letters from Ernest Dowson'' (1984).<ref>''New Letters from Ernest Dowson'', Desmond Flower (editor), The Whittington Press (1984).</ref> These sources are used throughout this page, as well as quotes from Agapeta, and often include French phrases as Dowson spoke the language fluently.

	In 1889, aged 22, Dowson became infatuated with an 11-year-old female, '''Adelaide "Missie" Foltinowicz''', the daughter of a Polish restaurant-owner. In 1893, he proposed to Foltinowicz, who was then aged 15, but was rejected. She later married a tailor, Augustus Noelte, in 1897. The love / infatuation Dowson felt inspired him to write poetry, some lines of which he is now best known for. Dowson lived an active social life but often lived in poverty, eventually suffering the death of his father from tuberculosis, and subsequent suicide of his mother after contracting the same disease. Dowson's life was marked by ecstasy and despair and, after returning to London to live with the Foltinowicz family in 1897, he was found virtually penniless by writer and Wilde biographer Robert Sherard in 1899. Sherard took him to live at his cottage, where Dowson spent the last 6 weeks of his life, dying at the age of 32. A few years later, Adelaide died of a botched abortion in 1903.		In 1889, aged 22, Dowson became infatuated with an 11-year-old female, '''Adelaide "Missie" Foltinowicz''', the daughter of a Polish restaurant-owner. In 1893, he proposed to Foltinowicz, who was then aged 15, but was rejected. She later married a tailor, Augustus Noelte, in 1897. The love / infatuation Dowson felt inspired him to write poetry, some lines of which he is now best known for. Dowson lived an active social life but often lived in poverty, eventually suffering the death of his father from tuberculosis, and subsequent suicide of his mother after contracting the same disease. Dowson's life was marked by ecstasy and despair and, after returning to London to live with the Foltinowicz family in 1897, he was found virtually penniless by writer and Wilde biographer Robert Sherard in 1899. Sherard took him to live at his cottage, where Dowson spent the last 6 weeks of his life, dying at the age of 32. A few years later, Adelaide died of a botched abortion in 1903.

	==Before he met Adelaide: ~~Downson~~ and Minnie Terry==		==Before he met Adelaide: Dowson and Minnie Terry==
	[[File:Elliott-and-Fry-Minnie-Terry-as-Daisy-Desmond-1889 photo.jpg\|thumb\|Minnie Terry as Daisy Desmond (1889)]]		[[File:Elliott-and-Fry-Minnie-Terry-as-Daisy-Desmond-1889 photo.jpg\|thumb\|Minnie Terry as Daisy Desmond (1889)]]
	Dowson had sex with post-pubescent females (most likely prostitutes), but preferred the company of pre-pubescent / little girls. Before he met Adelaide Foltinowicz, Dowson was a devoted fan of the child actress '''Minnie Terry''', then aged 7 (she was born on January 1, 1882). Dowson watched all plays in which she acted, collected her photographs and various souvenirs about her. He nicknamed her “Mignon” (for her role in the play ''Bootle’s Baby''), “la petite” or “la chère petite”.		Dowson had sex with post-pubescent females (most likely prostitutes), but preferred the company of pre-pubescent / little girls. Before he met Adelaide Foltinowicz, Dowson was a devoted fan of the child actress '''Minnie Terry''', then aged 7 (she was born on January 1, 1882). Dowson watched all plays in which she acted, collected her photographs and various souvenirs about her. He nicknamed her “Mignon” (for her role in the play ''Bootle’s Baby''), “la petite” or “la chère petite”.
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	==Loving Adelaide==		==Loving Adelaide==

	In November 1889, ~~Downson~~ entered a cheap Polish restaurant held by Joseph Foltinowicz, located at 19 Sherwood Street in Soho (London), at the back of the present Regent Palace Hotel. “''I discovered it. It is cheap; the cuisine is fair; I am the whole clientele, and there is a little Polish demoiselle therein (Minnie at 5st 7 — not quite that) whom it is a pleasure to sit & look at.''” (Letters, no. 73) The “little Polish demoiselle” was Adelaide, the proprietor’s daughter, aged eleven and a half years, whom he nicknamed “Missie” or “Missy”. He would soon fall in love with her and, quite unexpectedly, he would continue to love her as she grew into her teens (cf. the poem [https://agapeta.art/2022/05/06/growth-by-ernest-dowson/#more-2665 Growth]). Although she rejected his marriage proposal and eventually married another man in 1897, his feelings for her did not abate.		In November 1889, Dowson entered a cheap Polish restaurant held by Joseph Foltinowicz, located at 19 Sherwood Street in Soho (London), at the back of the present Regent Palace Hotel. “''I discovered it. It is cheap; the cuisine is fair; I am the whole clientele, and there is a little Polish demoiselle therein (Minnie at 5st 7 — not quite that) whom it is a pleasure to sit & look at.''” (Letters, no. 73) The “little Polish demoiselle” was Adelaide, the proprietor’s daughter, aged eleven and a half years, whom he nicknamed “Missie” or “Missy”. He would soon fall in love with her and, quite unexpectedly, he would continue to love her as she grew into her teens (cf. the poem [https://agapeta.art/2022/05/06/growth-by-ernest-dowson/#more-2665 Growth]). Although she rejected his marriage proposal and eventually married another man in 1897, his feelings for her did not abate.

	Soon after Dowson met her, she became the center of his life. His first volume of poetry, ''Verses'', includes ''Preface: For Adelaide'', starting with the words “''To you, who are my verses''.” A few lines below we read “''For I need not write your name for you at least to know that this and all my work is made for you in the first place'.'” Writing to Arthur Moore on February 16, 1890 (Letters, no. 89, pages 137–138), he presents her childhood as soothing the sufferings of his life:		Soon after Dowson met her, she became the center of his life. His first volume of poetry, ''Verses'', includes ''Preface: For Adelaide'', starting with the words “''To you, who are my verses''.” A few lines below we read “''For I need not write your name for you at least to know that this and all my work is made for you in the first place'.'” Writing to Arthur Moore on February 16, 1890 (Letters, no. 89, pages 137–138), he presents her childhood as soothing the sufferings of his life:
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	<blockquote>''I will put an end to this absurd pretense of further consideration which deceives nobody and plainly declare myself. [...] I do not believe in marriage in the abstract in the least. Only it is the price, perhaps a heavy one, which one is ordered to pay [...] In the present case I would pay it ten times over, sooner than risk the possibility of some time or other regretting that I had let go irrevocably something which promised a good deal, which I never had, & which is perhaps after all the best thing obtainable in this stupid world''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''I will put an end to this absurd pretense of further consideration which deceives nobody and plainly declare myself. [...] I do not believe in marriage in the abstract in the least. Only it is the price, perhaps a heavy one, which one is ordered to pay [...] In the present case I would pay it ten times over, sooner than risk the possibility of some time or other regretting that I had let go irrevocably something which promised a good deal, which I never had, & which is perhaps after all the best thing obtainable in this stupid world''</blockquote>

	However, he would have to be position to support Adelaide and offer her a home if he were to expect his proposal to be accepted. The situation was complicated by the declining health of Joseph Foltinowicz, Adelaide’s father, and he proposed at what Flower and Maas describe as "the worst time" - just after Adelaide's father died. ~~Downson~~ had thought he would be too nervous to propose until she reached 17, and recalled that she was not surprised or angry with him after his proposal, but thought he should have waited until she was older. After ~~Downson~~'s parents committed suicide - his mother by hanging and father by a speculated drug overdose - Dowson was embroiled in legal battles to obtain inheritance and was rejected by a 3rd employer. Being continually rejected, London became intolerable and he left. Living mostly in France, he still exchanged letters with Adelaide (Letters, no. 335, page 362: To Victor Plarr, May 1896):		However, he would have to be position to support Adelaide and offer her a home if he were to expect his proposal to be accepted. The situation was complicated by the declining health of Joseph Foltinowicz, Adelaide’s father, and he proposed at what Flower and Maas describe as "the worst time" - just after Adelaide's father died. Dowson had thought he would be too nervous to propose until she reached 17, and recalled that she was not surprised or angry with him after his proposal, but thought he should have waited until she was older. After Dowson's parents committed suicide - his mother by hanging and father by a speculated drug overdose - Dowson was embroiled in legal battles to obtain inheritance and was rejected by a 3rd employer. Being continually rejected, London became intolerable and he left. Living mostly in France, he still exchanged letters with Adelaide (Letters, no. 335, page 362: To Victor Plarr, May 1896):

	<blockquote>''Missie writes to me fairly often, friendly letters, which give me sleepless nights and cause me to shed morbid and puerile tears.''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''Missie writes to me fairly often, friendly letters, which give me sleepless nights and cause me to shed morbid and puerile tears.''</blockquote>
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	He sent a friend to attend Adelaide's wedding, bringing a present in place of him.<ref>[https://agapeta.art/2022/11/09/adelaide-the-love-in-the-life-and-poetry-of-ernest-dowson-part-ii/#more-2950 Click for a fuller account.]</ref>		He sent a friend to attend Adelaide's wedding, bringing a present in place of him.<ref>[https://agapeta.art/2022/11/09/adelaide-the-love-in-the-life-and-poetry-of-ernest-dowson-part-ii/#more-2950 Click for a fuller account.]</ref>

	==Oscar Wilde and ~~Downson~~==		==Oscar Wilde and Dowson==

	Dowson and Wilde were good friends and their relationship deepened after ~~Downson~~'s series of life crises / rejections. When [[Oscar Wilde]], friend to non-exclusive pederast [[Andre Gide]], and traveler to Capri, the Italian island once frequented by many famous gay/pederast writers such as [[Norman Douglas]] and [[Jacques d'Adelsward-Fersen]] - was jailed in 1895 for homosexual behavior - Dowson was one of the few of his friends who remained faithful to him. As Flower and Maas (page 377) write:		Dowson and Wilde were good friends and their relationship deepened after Dowson's series of life crises / rejections. When [[Oscar Wilde]], friend to non-exclusive pederast [[Andre Gide]], and traveler to Capri, the Italian island once frequented by many famous gay/pederast writers such as [[Norman Douglas]] and [[Jacques d'Adelsward-Fersen]] - was jailed in 1895 for homosexual behavior - Dowson was one of the few of his friends who remained faithful to him. As Flower and Maas (page 377) write:

	<blockquote>''It took some courage for anyone to be seen with Wilde in 1897; most of the friends who had been proud to know the eminent author in his successful days now coldly ignored his existence. Dowson was one of the few who did not abandon him, and his action in seeking out the ostracized poet is evidence of that generosity and charm to which all his friends have borne witness. Wilde’s friendship was the best possible thing for Dowson.''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''It took some courage for anyone to be seen with Wilde in 1897; most of the friends who had been proud to know the eminent author in his successful days now coldly ignored his existence. Dowson was one of the few who did not abandon him, and his action in seeking out the ostracized poet is evidence of that generosity and charm to which all his friends have borne witness. Wilde’s friendship was the best possible thing for Dowson.''</blockquote>
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	The phrase "Gone with the wind", comes from his poem ''Non Sum Qualis eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae".		The phrase "Gone with the wind", comes from his poem ''Non Sum Qualis eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae".

	Dowson's gravestone was restored on August 2, 2010, on the 143rd anniversary of Dowson’s birth.<ref>[https://agapeta.art/2021/02/22/dowsons-grave/ On ~~Downson~~'s grave restoration.]</ref> The new gravestone includes a plaque which added a well-known poetry verse.		Dowson's gravestone was restored on August 2, 2010, on the 143rd anniversary of Dowson’s birth.<ref>[https://agapeta.art/2021/02/22/dowsons-grave/ On Dowson's grave restoration.]</ref> The new gravestone includes a plaque which added a well-known poetry verse.

	==References==		==References==

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