Gay published
Poems on Several Occasionsby subscription edition, in July 1720, in an attempt to raise sufficient money to pay off his many debts. The venture was highly successful, with not only his close friends, but also most of the court, rallying strongly to the subscription. The subscription list, printed at the front of the collection, shows that nearly four hundred persons, headed by the Prince and Princess of Wales, subscribed, with many signing up for multiple copies. Lords Burlington and Chandos subscribed to pay for fifty copies each; William Pulteney to pay for twenty-five; and Lord Bathurst, the Rt Hon. James Craggs (the principal Secretary for State), Henry Pelham, and the Earl of Warwick ten each. Numerous others subscribed to buy seven, five or three copies, while Robert…
4413 words
Citation: Gordon, Ian. "Poems on Several Occasions". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 17 January 2005 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=16697, accessed 24 November 2024.]