Letters to His Son

What It's About

This is a collection of private letters written by Philip Dormer Stanhope, the 4th Earl of Chesterfield, to his illegitimate son Philip Stanhope, over a period spanning the boy's childhood into adulthood. Never intended for publication, the letters offer a father's ongoing instruction in the qualities Chesterfield believed made a complete gentleman: polished manners, eloquence, discretion, and social grace, alongside more practical guidance on languages, history, and the ways of European courts. They were published posthumously in 1774 by his son's widow.

Key Concepts

Chesterfield places heavy emphasis on the cultivation of charm and the "graces" as being just as important to success as knowledge or virtue, arguing that how one presents oneself in company can matter more than what one actually knows. Recurring themes include the art of pleasing others, self-control, the value of studied politeness over natural bluntness, and a somewhat calculating approach to social advancement. The letters have long attracted criticism for their emphasis on appearances and manipulation of others' opinions, with some readers, including Samuel Johnson, famously accusing Chesterfield of teaching "the morals of a whore and the manners of a dancing master."

About the Author

Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773), was a British statesman, diplomat, and man of letters. He served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and Secretary of State, and was known in his lifetime for his wit and his command of polished conversation.