Kidgell Rev (1 results)

First edition. 16pp. Modern half-calf, marbled boards, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece. Text-block damp-stained, stab-stitch holes to gutters. 'J. Kidgell' in an early hand to title page. The first edition of Church of England clergyman John Kidgell's (bap. 1722, d. c.1780) notorious justification of his involvement in the publication of John Wilkes' (1725-1797) Essay on Woman, an erotic poem parodying Pope's An Essay on Man (1733). In June 1763, Kidgell had obtained the proofs of the poem, likely at the behest of his patron Lord March, insisting to the printers that his plan was merely to answer the Essay by a series of letters in the press. However, Kidgell was ordered by Marsh to present a copy to the government so they might build a libel case against Wilkes. As a result, the poem was read before the House of Lords and declared obscene and blasphemous. Wilkes fled to Paris, but was tried and found guilty in absentia. Kidgell for his part was denounced as an unsavoury informer by all sides, defrocked, and forced to flee to Europe where he would die in penury. ESTC T40753. Size: Quarto.