Details
TOLAND, John (1670-1722). The Life of John Milton. London: John Darby, 1699. 8° (191 x 115mm). (H2 to end with worming affecting headlines and upper lines of text, more severe in last few pages, D5r slightly soiled, some marginal soiling.) Old calf (joints and corners rubbed, new spine label and endpapers). Provenance: 'The gift of the author Dec: 20. 1699' (title inscription), presumably a presentation copy to: Robert Harley (1661-1724, politician and bibliophile; bookplate on title verso).
FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY. Robert Harley, later first earl of Oxford, viewed Toland sympathetically as 'an advocate for traditional whig causes supporting religious toleration for dissenters and the protestant succession.' Toland was commissioned by the whigs 'to prepare biographies and editions to show how Commonwealthsmen Algernon Sidney, Denzil Holles, Edmund Ludlow, John Milton, and James Harrington were models of public religion and civic virtue' (ODNB). Wing T-1766.
FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY. Robert Harley, later first earl of Oxford, viewed Toland sympathetically as 'an advocate for traditional whig causes supporting religious toleration for dissenters and the protestant succession.' Toland was commissioned by the whigs 'to prepare biographies and editions to show how Commonwealthsmen Algernon Sidney, Denzil Holles, Edmund Ludlow, John Milton, and James Harrington were models of public religion and civic virtue' (ODNB). Wing T-1766.