Collet was born in London on 31 December 1812, the son of John Dobson (1778–1827), a London merchant, and his wife Elizabeth Barker (1787–1875). His sister was the writer and feminist
Sophia Dobson Collet (1822–1894). His brother was the engineer
Edward Dobson (1816–1908).
In 1866 he became editor of The Diplomatic Review. This had been known as The Free Press prior to Collet taking it over and was a mouthpiece for the views of
David Urquhart. Collet invited radicals to contribute to the Diplomatic Review and as a result began publishing articles by
Karl Marx. The two became great friends and weekly meetings were held at each other's houses at which Shakespeare readings were given by members of their families. These meetings became formalised as the Dogberry Club. Marx's daughter
Eleanor and Collet's daughter,
Clara Collet, amongst others, became heavily involved in the readings.
His five children included the colonial administrator
Wilfred Collet (1856–1929) and the educationalist Clara Collet (1860–1948). He died 1898 in
Finsbury, and is buried in Highgate West Cemetery. His wife, Jane Collet (1820–1908), died 10 years after him.
Publications
Vocal Rudiments. Aus: The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, 1847.
Digitalisat Jstor
Vocal Rudiments. Part II (Continued). Aus: The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, 1849.
Digitalisat Jstor
The invasion of France not a war of self-defence. The case against Prussia. Analyses of the "correspondence preliminary to the war". London 1870 (Reprinted from the "Anglo American Times").
Reasons for the repeal of the railway passenger duty. Paper read in the rooms of the Society of Arts, 26th February, 1877. In: Some words on railway legislation. Waterlow and Sons, London 1877.
Life and career of Mr.
Richard Moore. With a short sketch of his struggles for political, social and religious freedom. Charles Watt, London 1878.
Rudich, Rosie: Zwei Marx-Briefe aus dem Jahre 1876. In: Beiträge zur Geschichte der Arbeiterbewegung. Dietz Verlag, Berlin 1975, Vol. 17, Heft 5, pp. 840–848. Letters 10 November and 9 December 1876 in German and English
Merson, Allan: The Free Press (1851–1856). In: Beiträge zur Marx-Engels-Forschung 11. Berlin 1982, pp. 137–156.
Digitalisat
McDonald, Deborah. Clara Collet 1860-1948: An Educated Working Woman London 2004