All the Works of Epictetus, which are Now Extant, Consisting of His Discourses, preserved by Arrian, in Four Books, The Enchiridion, and Fragments. Translated from the Original Greek, by Elizabeth Carter. With an Introduction, and Notes, by the Translator.

[Carter, Elizabeth, translator]. Epictetus.

Published by London: Printed by S. Richardson 1758

About this Item

Elizabeth Carter (1717 - 1806) was one of the leading members of the Bluestocking Circle and a close friend of Elizabeth Montagu. With a persistence that won the praise of Virginia Woolf inÊA Room of OneÕs Own, she learned Latin, Greek, and Hebrew in childhood with her brothers, and later studied French, Italian, German, Portuguese, and Arabic (Drabble, Oxford Companion to English Literature). She was a friend of Samuel Johnson, who thought her one of the best Greek scholars he had known and invited her to contribute to The Rambler. She made a number of translations, of which this is considered her masterpiece. It was undertaken at the request of her friend, Catherine Talbot, who arranged for publication and solicited subscribers, amongst which were a large number of women, and members of the Johnson circle. Quarto. [16], xli, 505, [11] pp. Contemporary brown calf, with some expert restoration. Some edgewear. Joints tender. Contemporary ink ownership signature to edge of title-page and later numerical inscription to bottom margin of title-page. Some toning. A very good copy of this monumental translation. First edition of the first English translation of the complete works of Epictetus. This esteemed work was the standard English version prior to OldfatherÕs translation (1925-8). (See Long, Epictetus: A Stoic and Socratic Guide to Life, Oxford: 2002.) Oldfather 47. Lowndes 745 (Òa most admirable translationÓ). NCBEL II, 1595.

Seller Inventory # 17418

Bibliographic Details

• Title: All the Works of Epictetus, which are Now Extant, Consisting of His Discourses, preserved by Arrian, in Four Books, The Enchiridion, and Fragments. Translated from the Original Greek, by Elizabeth Carter. With an Introduction, and Notes, by the Translator.
• Publisher: London: Printed by S. Richardson 1758
• Edition: 1st Edition