Cato's Letters or Essays on Liberty, Civil and Religious, and Other Important Subjects : Four Volumes in Two

Almost a generation before Washington, Henry, and Jefferson were even born, two Englishmen, concealing their identities with the honored ancient name of Cato, wrote newspaper articles condemning tyranny and advancing principles of liberty that immensely influenced American colonists. The Englishmen were John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon.

John Trenchard (1662–1723) devoted himself to writing on contemporary British politics and for one year was a Member of Parliament from Taunton.

Thomas Gordon (ca. 1695–1750) was a tutor in languages, a publisher, and a pamphleteer.

Ronald Hamowy was Professor Emeritus of Intellectual History at the University of Alberta, Edmonton.

John Trenchard C.Ss.R. is a Redemptorist with wide pastoral experience. He was ordained priest in 1971 and has led Parish Missions and Retreats throughout his priestly life. He worked with Redemptorist Publications for a number of years before being appointed their Publishing Director in 1981. During that time he wrote or co-wrote some of Redemptorist Publications outstanding titles. In 1987 he became a Parish Priest in the Westminster Diocese. He was elected as Redemptorist Provincial in England in 1997. Having served for nine years as Provincial he now returns to the role of Parish Priest, in London.