A HISTORY OF THE EARTH AND ANIMATED NATURE (IN ONE VOLUME); To Which Are Added, The LIfe of the Author, His Deserted Village, Traveller, Miscellanies, &c. &c

Quarto, 10.6 in. x 9 in., pp. xvi, 879, 55, [1] (directions to binder). "Embellished with a Series of Beautiful and Appropriate Engravings, Designed and Executed by the First Artists." Twenty-one copper engravings. Rebound in half calf over marbled boards with original spine laid down. Original spine has gilt title with five raised bands and decorative design in blind to panels; original spine has significant chipping. Newer endpapers. Previous owner's note regarding the book's ownership to verso of frontis. Light age-toning and spotting throughout; offset staining from plates. Previous owner's note reads: "This book comes from Adam Boss. The Old Revolutionary Soldier to his son Jon George Boss. John B. Weaver bought it at the sale of __??__ he is a great Grand- son." Oliver Goldsmith was born sometime between 1728 and 1731 to a poor Irish family. He was one of seven children, and his father was a county vicar. When Goldsmith was still young, his father's death forced him to rely on a wealthy uncle for support. In his early days, he was frequently bullied because of facial disfigurement caused by smallpox. Goldsmith never bothered to hide his Irish origins, even maintaining his brogue despite the fact that it would have been considered low-class once he later settled in London amongst more esteemed company. Though he made a lucrative living through writing history books and literary journals, Goldsmith also lived a free-wheeling life of gambling and generous extravagance that kept him in debt. It was during this time period that Dr. Samuel Johnson, one of England's most famous men of letters, became a great admirer of Goldsmith's work. He invited Goldsmith to join his exclusive Turk's Head Club, and through Johnson's patronage, Goldsmith began to publish his first master works, including the novel "The Vicar of Wakefield." "A History of the Earth and Animated Nature" was first published in 8 volumes in 1774.…