LAMARTINE, Alphonse (1790-1869). French poet.
Document signed, 1 page 8vo (oblong), Mâçon, 5 February 1861. Receipt from Comte Gustave d'Auffridet for the sum of 9,000 francs, paid to M Toillard. Endorsed by Lamartine.
Lamartine had always lived far beyond his means, and also speculated extensively in land. After retiring from a political career in 1849 he set himself to pay five million francs of debts, sold his family estate and became a literary hack. His wife's death in 1863 left him in increasing poverty, but after 1867 his problems were alleviated by a government pension.

£85 [No: 0380]