The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets; with Critical Observations on Their Works (4 vols.)

Samuel Johnson

Published by Printed for T. Longman and 38 others, London, 1794

About this Item

Samuel Johnson, often referred to as Dr Johnson, was an English author who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer Johnson was a devout Anglican and committed Tory and has been described as "arguably the most distinguished man of letters in English history" He is also the subject of "the most famous single work of biographical art in the whole of literature": James Boswell's "Life of Samuel Johnson" "Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets" (1779-81), alternatively known by the shorter title 'Lives of the Poets', is comprised of short biographies and critical appraisals of 52 poets, most of whom lived during the eighteenth century These were arranged, approximately, by date of death This complete set consists of four volumes bound in full leather with gilt spine lettering and decoration A frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson appears in Volume I. The volumes are a good candidate for rebinding. All four volumes show loss and wear to the spine. Volumes II and III have cracked hinges; Volumes I and IV have detached boards. However, the text blocks are sound. Text is generally clean, with some minor to moderate foxing and age toning, primarily on the first few and last few pages of each volume, which is common to books of this vintage. Armorial bookplates of the Witham family (Yorkshire) have been affixed to the front pastedown.

Seller Inventory # AA786

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets; with Critical Observations on Their Works (4 vols.)
• Publisher: Printed for T. Longman and 38 others, London
• Publication Date: 1794
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: A New Edition, Corrected.
• Condition: Fair, rebinding candidate