An extraordinary and highly unusual manuscript relating to the death of the beloved pet monkey of the eminent Methodist theologian and biblical scholar Dr Adam Clarke (1760-1832).

The manuscript comprises two leaves written on three sides and contains:

• An original Latin epitaph.
• An English prose translation.
• An expanded English verse memorial.

The text is dated 16 November 1809, only days after the death of the monkey commemorated within it.

The Latin text explicitly names:

“Adamus Clericus”

the Latinised form of Adam Clarke, and records that:

“Adam Clarke, its attentive master, and its dear friend, placed this marble here, sorrowing.”

The manuscript is particularly appealing as it appears to preserve three distinct versions of the same memorial. The English poem greatly expands upon the Latin original, recalling the monkey’s affectionate behaviour:

“On my neck, my hand, my knee”

and describing it as:

“Gentlest creature of thy kind”

and

“A stranger to their guile.”

The text provides a rare and intimate glimpse into the domestic life of one of the most influential Methodist scholars of the Georgian period. Clarke was a close associate of John Wesley and is best remembered for his monumental multi-volume Commentary on the Holy Bible.

Of further interest, Clarke later became famous for advancing the controversial theory that the creature in the Garden of Eden traditionally translated as the serpent may originally have been an upright ape-like being. The existence of Clarke’s much-loved pet monkey became closely associated with this debate and was later referenced by critics and satirists.

The manuscript therefore occupies a fascinating place within the history of biblical scholarship, Methodism and attitudes towards animals in the early nineteenth century.

The handwriting appears comparable with known Adam Clarke manuscripts and the document may possibly have been written by Clarke himself. However, no definitive claim of autograph authorship is made and the manuscript is offered as a contemporary document closely associated with Clarke and his celebrated pet monkey.

A rare and engaging manuscript combining theology, animal history, Georgian poetry, Latin composition and one of the most curious episodes in nineteenth-century religious history.

A highly unusual Adam Clarke-related manuscript and an excellent talking point piece for collectors of manuscripts, Methodism, theology and animal history.

Provenance: 

One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil. 

Winifred Alice Myers (1909 – 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004. 

Adam Clarke (1762 – Aug 1832) was an Irish writer and biblical scholar. As a writer and biblical scholar, he published an influential Bible commentary among other works. Additionally, he was a Methodist theologian who served three times as President of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference (British: 1806–07, 1814–15 and 1822–23), and of the Irish Conference (1811, 1812, 1816, 1822).