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UK Wedding News

11/02/2015

Survey Reveals Greatest Love Letter Of All Time

The top ten greatest love letters of all time have been revealed in a new survey.

The poll was conducted by insurance firm Beagle Street ahead of Valentine's Day this weekend and aims to inspire people to become more romantic with the messages they send to their loved ones.

More than 1,000 respondents took part in the vote – which saw Johnny Cash's famous love letter to his wife June Carter take the top spot.

The note, addressed to "the greatest woman I [Cash] ever met", was written by the singer for his partner on her 65th birthday.

In second place, was Winston Churchill's letter to his "dearest girl... darling Clemmie", which he wrote in 1935.

Rounding out the top three, is the poet John Keats' letter to his neighbour Fanny Brawne. Composed in 1819, the famous writer tells Ms Brawne that he cannot live without her.

Other letters to make the list are King Henry VIII's note to Anne Boleyn, Jimi Hendrix's letter to his "little girl", and Beethoven, who wrote to his "Immortal Beloved". To this day, their identity remains a secret.

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The top 10 greatest love letters, according to the survey, are:

1. Johnny Cash wishing his wife June Carter Cash a happy 65th birthday (written 1994)

2. Winston Churchill telling his wife Clementine Churchill of his undying love (1935)

3. John Keats informing next door neighbour Fanny Brawne he can not live without her (1819)

4. Ernest Hemingway professing his love to Marlene Dietrich (1951)

5. Napoleon Bonaparte sending his love to Josephine de Beauharnais (1796)

6. Richard Burton telling Elizabeth Taylor of her beauty (1964)

7. King Henry VIII expressing his love for Anne Boleyn (1527)

8. Beethoven penning his love for his 'Immortal Beloved' whose identity is still a mystery (1812)

9. Gerald Ford reminding his wife Betty Ford of his and their family's love for her after she was diagnosed with breast cancer (1974)

10. Jimi Hendrix telling his 'little girl' to spread her wings (date unknown)



Despite these declarations of love, however, it appears the tradition of writing a love letter is becoming a rare act – with 37% of people in Britain having never composed one. Interestingly, 24% of men admitted they had sent a love letter within the last year, while 38% of women have never composed such a letter. A further 46% said the tradition was "outdated".

Matthew Gledhill, Managing Director of Beagle Street, said: "A well-written love letter can stand the test of time and be a permanent record of affection so it is important the tradition doesn't die out.

"We hope our research inspires people who have never written a love letter to take some time out and write down and share exactly how they feel with a loved one."

(JP/MH)

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"The top ten greatest love letters of all time have been revealed in a new survey."