The reality was entirely different. Rolfe grew up in a loving environment, and his parents were unfailingly supportive of him. Even after his death, his family defended him against public assaults upon his reputation. Uneasy at the prospect that he might be portrayed unsympathetically or with insufficient nuance, they did what they could to convince prospective biographers to produce balanced, unsensational accounts of his life.

Robert Scoble's latest monograph in this series contains a considerable amount of new biographical detail on Rolfe's siblings. This is complemented by a table setting out the full genealogical details of his immediate family. A brace of previously unpublished letters is quoted at some length, to demonstrate that, insofar as there did occur temporary estrangements from his family, these were of Rolfe's own choosing and often resulted from their well-meaning attempts to help and advise him.

The Raven Series has been planned as a set of scholarly essays which will add substantially to our knowledge of the life and work of Frederick Rolfe. Each essay is being published in a strictly limited edition, and there is little doubt that complete sets will be sought after by collectors in the years to come.

Of a full edition of 70, the first 12 copies of The Constant Family constitute the special state, case bound in charcoal grey paper-covered boards with gilt titles, and signed by the author. Numbers 13-70 form the ordinary state of the edition, and are sewn into charcoal grey card covers with a paper label and acetate wrappers.

Ordinary State £9.99 + £1 p+p to anywhere in the world.

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