Journalist (1849–1912) and assistant editor of the Pall Mall Gazette famous for his anti-vice crusade and founder of The Review of Reviews who drowned in the Titanic disaster. He is widely considered to be the founder of modern journalism. ALS signed “William T. Stead,” one page, 8 x 5, Review of Reviews letterhead, February 11, 1897. Letter to an unidentified gentleman. In full: “The only definition of the Church which seems to me sufficiently broad to include all those who really belong to it is The Union of all who Love do the Service of all who Suffer.” Central vertical fold, a few creases, and some scattered light toning and foxing, otherwise fine condition.
Faced with his inevitable demise in the icy waters as the Titanic took its fatal plunge, Stead undoubtedly took some solace in his religious beliefs. Having fulfilled his lot in life to help those in need, he was now the one who would face unthinkable suffering—the same suffering he alluded to here. According to one Titanic survivor, Stead exhibited ‘superhuman composure’ and ‘divine work’ in his final moments, and when he ‘could do no more, he stood alone at the edge of the deck’ in a ‘prayerful attitude of profound meditation’ as he prepared for his end. A later sighting by another survivor revealed Stead had survived the sinking for a short time, clinging to a raft with John Jacob Astor, until hypothermia forced them each to release their grips and sink into the darkness. RRAuction COA.
