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Dorothy Osborne (1627-1695) was an English letter writer and notable figure in literary history, whose personal correspondence has shed valuable light on the private and public life of the seventeenth century. Daughter of Sir Peter Osborne and Dorothy Danvers, Osborne was educated at home, learning various languages and literature which later influenced her epistolary style. She is best known for her collection of letters, 'The Love Letters of Dorothy Osborne to Sir William Temple, 1652-54', which were exchanged during their courtship and offer a fascinating glimpse into her intellect, wit, and the constraints of her period. These letters stand out for their literary merit, engaging narrative and historical insight, capturing the tumultuous era of the English Civil War and Interregnum. Not originally intended for publication, her letters were preserved and later published, revealing her literary prowess and emotional depth. Osborne's style, marked by clarity, vivacity and unaffected grace, bridged a personal archive with the broader canon of English literature. Her contributions, although limited in quantity, remain significant as they exemplify the capacity of personal correspondence to transcend its private origins and resonate within the cultural and historical consciousness.
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