The Works, published under the superintendence of his executor, John Bowring.

BENTHAM, Jeremy.

Published by Edinburgh: William Tait; Simpkin, Marshall, & Co., London, 1843

About this Item

First collected edition of Bentham's works, compiled under the supervision of his disciple and editor, John Bowring, assisted by John Hill Burton, who wrote the lengthy "Introduction to the study of Bentham's works". The collected works were first issued in 22 parts, at 9 shillings each, between the years 1838 and 1843. "The Works are not complete, for Bowring. refused to reprint the four attacks on religion, while the posthumous Deontology, being still in print, was also left out. Moreover, he made practically no attempt to publish any of the manuscript material bequeathed to him by Bentham; he was probably overwhelmed by the 173 portfolios containing upwards of 300 sheets each, much of it in Bentham's own execrable handwriting, the value of which he was not really competent to appreciate. Doubtless he salved his conscience by bequeathing this inheritance to University College for future students to quarry into and to publish. The tenth and eleventh volumes. consist of a most valuable but ill-digested and ill-arranged memoir compiled by Bowring from Bentham's papers and correspondence, and an exhaustive analytical index" (Muirhead). Chuo WW2.2; Everett, p. 527; Muirhead, pp. 24-26. 11 vols, octavo (219 x 143 mm). Portrait frontispiece to vol. I. Early 20th-century red half calf, spines lettered and dated in gilt with gilt floral motifs to compartments, red cloth sides, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Bookseller's ticket to first pastedown. Rubbed with a few patches of wear, spines a little sunned and slightly discoloured in places, a few pages a little creased. A very good set.

Seller Inventory # 126241

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Works, published under the superintendence of his executor, John Bowring.
• Publisher: Edinburgh: William Tait; Simpkin, Marshall, & Co., London, 1843
• Edition: 1st Edition