Aristotle's Ethics and Politics,

first edition, bound in contemporary mottled calf

The first edition of this English language translation of the Nicomachean Ethics and Politics of Aristotle (384-322 BC).

Although both works had previously appeared in English translation (as The Ethiques of Aristotle by John Wilkinson in 1547, and John Dickenson's Aristotles Politiqves, or Discovrses of Government in 1598), this edition by the Scottish historian John Gillies (1747-1836) marks the first occasion that both texts appear together in one composite translation, which as Gillies explains in his preface, is perhaps how Aristotle intended the works to be understood: 'The "Ethics of Nichomachus and the Politics" ought never to have been disjoined, since they are considered by Aristotle himself as forming essential parts of one and the same work; which, as it was the last and principal object of his studies, is of all his performances the longest, the best connected, and incomparably the most interesting. The two treatises combined, constitute what he calls his practical philosophy', i.e. that which concerns human nature.

Gillies prefixed this work with a lengthy life of Aristotle and a 'New Analysis of Aristotle's Works', the latter coming under fire by the Platonist Thomas Taylor (1758-1835), who criticised Gillies' comments on the ordering of the books in Aristotle's treatise on metaphysics in the introduction to his English-language translation of this work which was published in 1801. This led in turn to a revised edition of Gillies' Ethics and Politics which came out in 1804 defending his work.

Prior to the present work, Gillies' principal contribution to academia was a history of ancient Greece that appeared in two parts, the first printed in 1786, the second not appearing until 1807. On the strength of this, Gillies was appointed Historiographer Royal for Scotland on the death of William Robertson in 1793, and devoted his attention to this translation of Aristotle's two major works of practical philosophy, here first published.

From the library of Sir John Swinburne 1762-1860) of Capheaton Hall, with his bookplate to the front pastedown. Swinburne was elected Member of Parliament for Launceston in the Whig interest in 1788, and was a supporter of social reform, including the abolition of the slave trade.

First edition; 2 vols in 1; 4to (29.5 x 23 cm); divisional title, printed on blue tinted paper, bookplate to front pastedown, light spotting; contemporary mottled calf, covers with decorative wheatsheaf roll, rebacked, preserving the original gilt spine which has been laid down, sprinkled edges, corners slightly bumped with minor loss, very good; [3], vi-xv, [1], 416, [3], 'vi', 343, [4]pp.

ESTC T128120.