The Excellency of the Female Character Vindicated; Being an Investigation Relative to the Cause and Effects of the Encroachments of Men Upon the Rights of Women, and the Too Frequent Degradation and Consequent Misfortunes of the Fair Sex.

[Branigan, Thomas].

Published by Harrisburg: Printed by Frances Wyeth, 1828.

About this Item

Thomas Branagan's (1774-1843) was born in Dublin and, in his youth, traveled to England, Spain, and Norway. He also sailed on a slaver to West Africa where he purchased slaves. Branagan converted to Protestantism and soon changed his views on slavery, which he came to see as evil and oppressive. His The Excellency of the Female Character sought to instill virtue and knowledge in young women, lest they be "no better than the wild Indian who traverses the banks of the Osage" and become hindrances to respectable society (see Preface). Branagan's other works include A Preliminary Essay on the Oppression of the Exiled Sons of Africa." and The Beauties of Philanthropy, which appeared with several others in 1804 and 1805. Octavo. xiv, 15-280 pp. Original sheep. Spine and black leather label stamped in gilt. Edges stained yellow. Covers worn. Head and tail of spine and corners lightly worn. Label worn at edges. Brown stain near top edge on pp. 248-252, affecting a small portion of text. Intermittent foxing and offsetting, as usual. Contemporary ink inscription on front and back pastedown. The first inscription reads: "Mary Ann Beales, her book bought of a peddler, 1836." The second inscription reads: "Mary Ann Beales book bought of George Washington, April 8th, 1836" (obviously not the president's, whose dates are 1732-1799). A good copy. Third edition of a scarce title. The half-title notes that this was "printed for subscribers." Originally published in 1807 American Imprints 32462.

Seller Inventory # 16111

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Excellency of the Female Character Vindicated; Being an Investigation Relative to the Cause and Effects of the Encroachments of Men Upon the Rights of Women, and the Too Frequent Degradation and Consequent Misfortunes of the Fair Sex.
• Publisher: Harrisburg: Printed by Frances Wyeth, 1828.
• Binding: Hardcover