William Simpson Potter

William Simpson Potter (21 January 1805-16 January 1879) was a minor 19th century English author. From available information, it appears that Potter was a friend of Henry Spencer Ashbee, merchant, bibliographer, bibliophile, authority on the life and works of Cervantes, and collector of erotic materials.

According to the bibliography-catalogue, "British Museum General Catalogue of Printed Books," Potter is author of two books of letters describing the Prince of Wales' visit to India in 1875-1876. The British Museum, now the British Library has these works in their holdings.

"A Letter from the East: from William S. Potter, to his niece, Mrs. Addison Potter" bears a publication date of 1877 - according to the online catalog record of the British Library. Also in the holdings of the British Library is "Letters from India during H. R. H. the Prince of Wales visit in 1875-6, from William S. Potter to his sister," which dates from 1876. Again, according to this British Museum source, Potter is the author of the Victorian erotic novel, "The Romance of Lust," (1873-1876) although the published novel lists its author as "Anonymous."

Because of the anonymous authorship, this novel is alternately attributed to Potter and to another English writer of erotic novels, Edward Sellon (1818?-1866). For example, the Library of Congress catalog record for the 1968 Grove Press edition of "The Romance of Lust" includes the brief note: "Attributed to Capt. Edward Sellon. Cf. "Bibliotheca arcana." 1885." The "Bibliotheca arcana" is a bibliography of erotic literature from the late 19th century.

Henry Spencer Ashbee attributes "The Romance of Lust" to Potter. Comparing the text of "Letters from India during H. R. H. the Prince of Wales visit in 1875-6, from William S. Potter to his sister" with the text of "The Romance of Lust" reveals numerous stylistic affinities, whereas a comparison of Sellon's "The New Epicurean" and "The Adventures of a School-Boy" shows fewer similarities in authorial style. (The Library of Congress has all of these volumes within its collections.)