Famous Love Letters Throughout History

Love letters have been a cherished form of expressing deep emotions throughout history, allowing people to convey feelings that are sometimes difficult to articulate in person. These letters have offered us glimpses into the hearts of some of the most famous figures in history, revealing their vulnerabilities, passions, and humanity. Here, we explore some of the most iconic love letters that have stood the test of time, serving as a testament to the enduring power of love.

1. Napoleon Bonaparte to Joséphine de Beauharnais

Napoleon Bonaparte, the famed French military leader, was not only a conqueror on the battlefield but also in matters of the heart. His letters to Joséphine de Beauharnais, whom he married in 1796, reveal a passionate and almost obsessive love. In one of his most famous letters, written shortly after their marriage, Napoleon expressed his deep longing and desire for Joséphine:

“Since I left you, I have been constantly depressed. My happiness is to be near you. Incessantly I live over in my memory your caresses, your tears, your affectionate solicitude. The charms of the incomparable Joséphine kindle continually a burning and a glowing flame in my heart.”

Despite their tumultuous relationship and eventual divorce, Napoleon’s letters remain a testament to his intense feelings for Joséphine.

2. Oscar Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas

Oscar Wilde, the brilliant Irish playwright and poet, penned some of the most eloquent love letters ever written to Lord Alfred Douglas, often referred to as “Bosie.” Their relationship, both passionate and destructive, played a significant role in Wilde’s life and career. In one of his letters, Wilde writes:

“My own Boy, Your sonnet is quite lovely, and it is a marvel that those red-rose-leaf lips of yours should be made no less for the madness of music and song than for the madness of kissing. Your slim gilt soul walks between passion and poetry. I know Hyacinthus, whom Apollo loved so madly, was you in Greek days.”

Wilde’s letters to Bosie were filled with poetic expressions of love, reflecting his profound affection and the emotional turmoil of their relationship.

3. John Keats to Fanny Brawne

John Keats, one of the greatest Romantic poets, wrote numerous love letters to Fanny Brawne, the woman he adored until his untimely death. Keats’ letters are infused with both love and despair, as he was often separated from Fanny due to his failing health. In a poignant letter, he expresses the depth of his feelings:

“My dearest Lady, I am now at a very pleasant cottage window, looking onto a beautiful hilly country, with a glimpse of the sea; the morning is very fine. I do not know how elastic my spirit might be, what pleasure I might have in living here and breathing in it, if it were not for the thought of you… I cannot exist without you. I am forgetful of everything but seeing you again, my Life seems to stop there, I see no further. You have absorb’d me.”

These letters capture the intensity of Keats’ love and the pain of longing for someone who was often out of reach.

4. Frida Kahlo to Diego Rivera

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, two of Mexico’s most famous artists, had a relationship marked by both deep love and intense conflict. Kahlo’s letters to Rivera reveal a complex blend of adoration and anguish. In one of her letters, she writes:

“Diego, my love, Remember that every time I look at the sea, it will always be you. And I will always be waiting for you. I love you more than my own skin.”

Kahlo’s love for Rivera was unwavering, even through their many separations and reconciliations. Her letters are filled with raw emotion and artistic expression, much like her paintings.

5. Emily Dickinson to Susan Gilbert

Emily Dickinson, one of America’s greatest poets, wrote numerous letters to Susan Gilbert, her sister-in-law and close confidante, who is believed by many scholars to have been the subject of Dickinson’s deepest affections. Although Dickinson never explicitly stated her romantic feelings in her letters, their intense intimacy and emotional depth suggest a profound connection. In one letter, Dickinson writes:

“Susie, forgive me Darling, for every word I say, my heart is full of you, none other than you in my thoughts, yet when I seek to say to you something not for the world, words fail me. If you were here, and oh that you were, my Susie, we need not talk at all, our eyes would whisper for us, and your hand fast in mine, we would not ask for language.”

These letters provide a glimpse into the private world of one of literature’s most enigmatic figures and her enduring love for Susan.

6. Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor’s love story is one of Hollywood’s most legendary. The two were married and divorced twice, and their passionate, turbulent relationship captivated the world. Burton’s letters to Taylor are filled with adoration and a deep sense of awe for her beauty and talent. In one letter, he writes:

“My blind eyes are desperately waiting for the sight of you. You don’t realize of course, E.B., how fascinatingly beautiful you have always been, and how strangely you have acquired an added and special and dangerous loveliness.”

Burton’s letters reflect the intensity of their love and the tumultuous nature of their relationship, making them a fascinating glimpse into the lives of these two iconic stars.

Conclusion

These famous love letters provide a window into the hearts and minds of some of history’s most notable figures. They remind us that love, in all its forms, has always been a powerful and universal force. Through their words, we see not only the joy and passion of love but also its pain and complexity. These letters stand as timeless reminders of the enduring nature of human affection and the ways in which love has shaped the course of history.