![MACLAURIN, Colin (1698-1746). An Account of Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophical Discoveries, ed. Patrick Murdoch. London: printed for the author's children, and sold by A. Millar [etc.], 1748. 4° (283 x 231 mm). Half-title, 6 folding engraved plates. (Small stain to b3-4.) Contemporary reversed calf, spine gilt with morocco label (light scuffing, spine chipped, joints repaired). Provenance: John Grant (ownership inscription dated 1748) -- John Wilson (bookplate and inscription).](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2011/CSK/2011_CSK_03013_0114_000(maclaurin_colin_an_account_of_sir_isaac_newtons_philosophical_discover125454).jpg?w=1)
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MACLAURIN, Colin (1698-1746). An Account of Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophical Discoveries, ed. Patrick Murdoch. London: printed for the author's children, and sold by A. Millar [etc.], 1748. 4° (283 x 231 mm). Half-title, 6 folding engraved plates. (Small stain to b3-4.) Contemporary reversed calf, spine gilt with morocco label (light scuffing, spine chipped, joints repaired). Provenance: John Grant (ownership inscription dated 1748) -- John Wilson (bookplate and inscription).
FIRST EDITION, LARGE-PAPER COPY of this popularisation of the Principia. John Conduitt had invited Maclaurin to collaborate on a biography of Newton as early as 1727. However, the former's death in 1737 left the Scottish mathematician to continue alone, and his prolonged work only appeared posthumously. However, 'gifted with a genius for geometrical investigation second only to Newton' (DSB), he was well qualified for the task. 'Though a number of other general expositions of Newton's thought were published during the 18th century, MacLaurin's Account has long been recognized as the leading authoritative statement of mainstream Newtonianism' (ODNB). Babson 85.
FIRST EDITION, LARGE-PAPER COPY of this popularisation of the Principia. John Conduitt had invited Maclaurin to collaborate on a biography of Newton as early as 1727. However, the former's death in 1737 left the Scottish mathematician to continue alone, and his prolonged work only appeared posthumously. However, 'gifted with a genius for geometrical investigation second only to Newton' (DSB), he was well qualified for the task. 'Though a number of other general expositions of Newton's thought were published during the 18th century, MacLaurin's Account has long been recognized as the leading authoritative statement of mainstream Newtonianism' (ODNB). Babson 85.