Author: Parr, William
Biography:
PARR, William (fl 1829)
The only volume of poetry known to have been written by this author, Domestic Happiness [etc.], was published in London in 1829. It does not appear to have been reviewed. It is a collection of light verse—octosyllabics, acrostics, songs, and fables—addressed to young men, particularly “incautious bachelors” in need of guidance in the choice of a suitable wife. There are very few clues as to the identity of the author, and if “William Parr” was his real name it is too common to produce a convincing match from public records. There are epigraphs in both Latin and Spanish. One acrostic is built on the name “Joseph Della Torre” and several songs are to be sung to music by Carlo Della Torre. A Joseph Della Torre was partner as a “general merchant” with premises on Lamb’s Conduit Street, London, in 1827, and appears to have been a friend; another partner in the business before then was Anthony Della Torre. It is possible that the same William Parr wrote Harry and his Mother: a Monitory Tale (in prose) for the Dartons in 1819. (ancestry.com 19 Aug. 2023; findmypast.com 19 Aug. 2023; Darton; London Courier and Evening Gazette 18 Aug. 1827) HJ
Other Names:
- Wm. Parr