History of Europe From the Commencement of the French Revolution M.DCC.LXXXIX. To the Restoration of the Bourbons in M.DCCC.XV.

Archibald Alison, F.R.S.E. Advocate

Published by William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh and London, 1847

About this Item

A comprehensive history of Europe during the turbulent times of the French Revolution, spanning the years 1789 - 1815. With an engraving from a bust of the author with a facsimile of his signature to frontispiece to first volume. In twenty volumes complete. Sir Archibald Alison, 1st Baronet FRSE (29 December 1792 - 23 May 1867) was a Scottish advocate and historian. He held several prominent legal appointments. When travelling in France in 1814 Alison conceived the idea of his expansive History of Europe from the Commencement of the French Revolution to the Restoration of the Bourbons. This multi-volume set is usually regarded as Alison's chief historical work and is considered to be the first scholarly English-language study of the French Revolution. Originally published in ten volumes between 1833 and 1843, History of Europe was revised and reprinted many times throughout the century, including numerous foreign language editions. The work is one of vast industry, "containing a wealth of information communicated in a vigorous though wordy style." Disraeli satirises the author in Coningsby as Mr. Wordy, who wrote a history to prove that Providence was on the side of the Tories. Such criticism notwithstanding, History of Europe proved to be a huge commercial success. Alison also composed a comprehensive survey of the military campaigns of the Duke of Marlborough, as well as two standard works on the criminal law of Scotland. With previous owner's ink inscriptions dated 1847 to front free endpaper to some volumes. Bound by Remnant and Edmonds with binder's label to rear pastedown to some volumes. With publisher's catalogues to front and rear of most volumes. In cloth bindings. Externally, generally sound but with bumping and wear to extremities and with slight rubbing and marks to boards. With slight loss due to wear to cloth to head and tail of spine to some volumes. With 1 joint tender, 3 starting and 2 starting slightly with occasional splitting to cloth in other volumes but joints firm. With 3 hinges tender, 5 strained and 2 slightly strained. Internally, generally firmly bound although strained and occasionally tender in places with some pages loosening to some volumes. Bright with only the very occasional spot and handling mark to pages but with marks to endpapers. All volumes are ex-library copies with library labels to front pastedown, evidence of past library labels to front free endpapers or publisher's catalogues to front of volumes, with ink stamps to first and last few pages and some throughout and donation bookplate dated 1924 to rear pastedowns. Good Only. Seller Inventory # SET38-D-1

Bibliographic Details

Title: History of Europe From the Commencement of ...

Publisher: William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh and London

Publication Date: 1847

Binding: Cloth

Illustrator: None

Condition: Good Only

Book Type: book