My Dear

I noticed that the Virginia A.G.'s 1989 opinion on residential picketing began with "My Dear Mr. Godfrey:"—the opinion was a response to Washington County Commonwealth's Attorney Dennis Godfrey—and it made me wonder: How long had the "My Dear" salutation (as opposed to just "Dear") endured?

It appears that, true to Virginia's genteel Southern image, the Virginia A.G.'s office did use "My Dear …" as a salutation until 1996, well beyond any other state office (e.g., the Iowa A.G.'s office, which kept it up until 1965). But the U.S. Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel used "My Dear Mr. President" until as late as 1999, under Janet Reno.

UPDATE: Joshua J. Prince (@JoshuaJPrince) notes that Justice Kennedy opened his retirement letter with "My dear Mr. President"; I expect some other similarly individual letters, rather than institutional ones, might continue using that salutation.

Comments

[DaivdBehar]

Mannwrly and charming but pure evil in the South.

[Roger S]

More proof of the moral degradation of our society. The only safe policy is to not use any pronouns at all.

[Krayt]

I always thought My Dear was something more special, not an old school address later abridged, and so currently still useful. E.g.

My Dear Anya,

You were so beautiful and sophisticated in The Queen's Gambit. That you went after some grody and odd-looking intellectuals, like the first guy, or David Spade's kid, gives hope to us all!

Really, Very, Truly Most Sincerly,
Krayt

[Don Nico]

Krayt,
I still use My Dear... as something more special.

[mydisplayname]

Senator Mark Warner professes a fondness for his days as Governor of Virginia, during which letters referred to him as "Your Excellency."

[Don Nico]

I have tried to get others to address me as Your Holiness, but that has not worked.