An Original Handwritten Letter Signed by Academic Henry Montagu Butler to Lady Maine. Dated 1888. A letter to Lady Maine passing him on his condolences for the death of her husband Sir Henry Maine. The long letter goes onto discuss Maine's contribution to Cambridge University and his students. Henry Montagu Butler 1833-1918 was an English academic and clergyman, who served as headmaster of Harrow School (1860–85), Dean of Gloucester (1885–86) and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge (1886–1918). Sir Henry James Sumner Maine 1822-1888, was a British Whig comparative jurist and historian. He is famous for the thesis outlined in his book Ancient Law that law and society developed "from status to contract." According to the thesis, in the ancient world individuals were tightly bound by status to traditional groups, while in the modern one, in which individuals are viewed as autonomous agents, they are free to make contracts and form associations with whomever they choose. Because of this thesis, Maine can be seen as one of the forefathers of modern legal anthropology, legal history and sociology of law. Size is 180mm x 115mm. Condition is good. Light folding crease. Cut repair to letter pages 3/4 across text.