John Ruskin, artist and philosopher, was born in 1819 to Margaret Cox and John James Ruskin in London, England. He was educated by his mother and various tutors and then attended Oxford University. He travelled with his father around Europe viewing artwork. While studying at Oxford in 1840, Ruskin became ill and was forced to leave. He travelled for two years in search of a remedy. In 1842 he returned to Oxford to receive his B.A., and received is M.A. in 1843. Throughout this period he published many articles. In 1848, Ruskin married Euphemia Chalmers Gray, but the marriage was annulled in 1855. He continued writing until 1870 when he became a practical reformer. In 1871 he tried to found a Utopia in England. For the remainder of his life, he taught art at Oxford, wrote books and continued to urge social reform. Ruskin died on January 20, 1900 in Coniston.

A letter to Mrs. Simon, the wife of Ruskin's physician, Dr. John Simon, on the nature of the artistic standards of the English people. Includes transcription, as well as a check dated October 13, 1884, payable to Miss Gale.