Wilson John Misattributed Allan Cunningham (1 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Fine. 4 volume set, 7 inches tall. Quarter calf with twin labels and gilt centre tools. Second French edition of The Trials of Margaret Lyndsay (1823), the first French edition being 1823 (both editions very rare). Issued anonymously in English, the novel was is attributed by its French editors to Scots poet Allan Cunningham and presented with a biographical preface. It is in fact by fellow Scot John Wilson, better known as the pre-eminent contributors (with Blackwood and Hogg) to Blackwood's Magazine (he is credited with over 500 contributions between 1817 and 1854). OCLC lists 2 copies only of each French edition: 1823 (Bn and University of Lille); 1825 (NLS and Lyon) This set is from the library, though without the bookplates, assembled at Voltaire's former home, the Chateau de Cirey ( Champagne) by Mme de Simiane ( 1761-1835 ), sometime lover of Lafayette and later, a correspondent of Fanny Burney. Diane-Adelaide de Simiane's early life was colourful and she came to Cirey in 1795 after a period of incarceration during the Terror. Previously she had been married to Charles-Francois de Simiane, who had served with Lafayette in America and who died in mysterious circumstances in 1787.