Considerations on the Principal Events of the French Revolution.

8vos., 3 vols; contemporary binding of full diced calf with decoratively embossed borders; spine with two contrasting morocco labels gilt to second and fourth compartments, lettered and ruled with decorative borders in gilt; decorative gilt devices now rubbed/removed; corner edges of boards decorated in gilt; marbled endpapers; pp. [vii], iv-xvi, [i], 2-432, [iv]; [vii], iv-viii, [i], 2-416, [iv]; [vii], iv-vii, [ii], 2-416, [iv]; ribbon markers; spines rubbed, with a couple of small holes and cracks; a couple of small stains to boards;  ribbon markers offset onto pages; early W H Smiths stickers to front paste-downs; some spotting, toning and corner creasing throughout; a very good set otherwise. Provenance: Contemporary ownership inscriptions of Mr H. Gover to ffep of all volumes, and a Mr. L Dawe [?] to the title page of Vol I; ownership names of John Saltmarsh (Dec. 1924) to Vol I and Kathleen W. Saltmarsh (October 1974) to all three volumes. 

First English edition. 

Madame de Staël (1766 – 14 July 1817) was a prominent French novelist, woman of letters and political theorist who for the majority of her life held a liberal stance on the French Revolution. She faced exile for extended periods of her life, including  during the Reign of Terror and subsequently due to personal persecution by Napoleon (who she branded a tyrant). Her extensive views on the French Revolution (which she has been quoted many times as saying was “characterised by a surprising absence of eminent personalities") are presented here in their entirety. Included are chapters on the history of France, the American war, and significant work on financier and statesman Jacques Necker, her father, as well as sections on La Fayette, Napoleon and the invasion of Switzerland, as well as other major events throughout the revolution. De Staël died in 1817, leaving her magnum opus unfinished. 

Dr. John Saltmarsh (1908-1974) was a historian and a fellow of King’s College, Cambridge. Described by his family as a "notable eccentric”, Saltmarsh was recruited to work at Bletchley Park during the Second World War, after which he lectured in Economic History at Cambridge, and published several works, including on the history of King’s College chapel. His set of rooms at King’s now form the Saltmarsh Suite.  

SKU: 1800166