Fables from Boccacio and Chaucer
London: Printed for W. Flint for T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1805. 12mo. Item #028721
. xxxi, 236 pages. The introduction is by the controversial Dr. John Akin (1747-1822). After an early career as a physician who got into trouble condemning England's policy of excluding dissenters from office or entrance into Cambridge or Oxford, he wrote two anonymously published pamphlets on the injustice of the system, but his authorship was soon discovered losing the support from the leaders in government but as he moved to the Broad Street Buildings, he found this community close to Hackney was full of dissenters where he became their spokesmen. He was close friends with Erasmus Darwin, James Montgomery, Robert Southey and the philanthropist, John Howard (whose literary executor he became). He became known as one of the leading biographers of the era and author of works on English poetry. His background gives an insight into much of what John Dryden was suggesting. A very uncommon though desirable work on Dryden. OCLC shows the only recorded copy is at Dunston Hall. A fine copy bound in original tree calf, flat spine ruled in gilt, red morocco spine label gilt. internally fresh with no names or bookplates.
Price: $275.00