An Essay on the Principle of Population; or, A View of Its Past and Present Effects on Human Happiness; with an Inquiry into Our Prospects Respecting the Future Removal or Mitigation of the Evils Which It Occasions. In Two Volumes. The Third Edition.

MALTHUS, Thomas Robert.

Published by London: for J. Johnson by T. Bensley, 1806

About this Item

Third edition, the first edition to be published in two octavo volumes, the format which was to remain the standard in Malthus's lifetime. This third edition has important alterations and additions, particularly the appendix, in which Malthus replied to some of his many critics; it follows the first edition of 1798 in a single octavo volume, and the expanded second edition in quarto in 1803. Malthus's treatise on population is one of the most important and influential works in the history of economic thought, and the foundation text of modern demography. "For today's readers, living in a post-Malthus era, the world's population problems are well known and serious, but no longer sensational. It is difficult therefore to appreciate the radical and controversial impact made by the Essay at the time of publication. It challenged the conventional notion that population growth is an unmixed blessing. It discussed prostitution, contraception, and other sexual matters. And it gave vivid descriptions of the horrendous consequences of overpopulation and of the brutal means by which populations are checked" (ODNB). Despite its unpopularity with liberal critics, Malthus's principle of population became accepted as a central tenet of classical political economy and Charles Darwin acknowledged Malthus's influence in the development of his theory of natural selection. Einaudi 3689; Goldsmiths' 19210; Kress B5067. 2 vols, octavo (209 x 128 mm). Bound without half-titles. Recent half calf, red morocco label, marbled sides. A few contemporary annotations in vol. II. Repairs to closed tears at head of A7 and A8 into text without loss, slight sporadic spotting, light dampstaining at lower outer corner of vol. II towards rear. A very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 156997

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An Essay on the Principle of Population; or, A View of Its Past and Present Effects on Human Happiness; with an Inquiry into Our Prospects Respecting the Future Removal or Mitigation of the Evils Which It Occasions. In Two Volumes. The Third Edition.
• Publisher: London: for J. Johnson by T. Bensley, 1806