![[MALTHUS, Thomas Robert (1766-1834)]. An Essay on the Principle of Population, as it affects the Future Improvement of Society. London: J. Johnson, 1798.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/CKS/2018_CKS_16018_0261_001(malthus_thomas_robert_an_essay_on_the_principle_of_population_as_it_af075426).jpg?w=1)
![[MALTHUS, Thomas Robert (1766-1834)]. An Essay on the Principle of Population, as it affects the Future Improvement of Society. London: J. Johnson, 1798.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/CKS/2018_CKS_16018_0261_000(malthus_thomas_robert_an_essay_on_the_principle_of_population_as_it_af102314).jpg?w=1)
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[MALTHUS, Thomas Robert (1766-1834)]. An Essay on the Principle of Population, as it affects the Future Improvement of Society. London: J. Johnson, 1798.
First edition of Malthus's disturbing economic treatise exploring the relationship between food supply and population. ‘The central idea of the essay – and the hub of Malthusian theory – was a simple one. The population of a community, Malthus suggested, increases geometrically, while food supplies increase only arithmetically. If the natural increase in population occurs the food supply becomes insufficient and the size of the population is checked by "misery" – that is the poorest sections of the community suffer disease and famine.’ (PMM). Although his hypothesis was alarming to anyone of a benevolent nature, the Essay had great influence on the socio-economic thought of the 19th century, influencing theorists from Ricardo to Mill and Marx. It led to Quetelet's and Verhulst's precise statistical studies of population growth, and helped convince both Darwin and Wallace of the idea of ‘the struggle for existence.’ Garrison-Morton 1693; Kress B.3693; Norman 1431; PMM 251.
Octavo (208 x 128mm). (Small stain on 2B4, a few minor marginal spots.) 19th-century black half leather over marbled boards, flat spine gilt (extremities lightly rubbed); modern half morocco solander box. Provenance: inscription erased from title.
First edition of Malthus's disturbing economic treatise exploring the relationship between food supply and population. ‘The central idea of the essay – and the hub of Malthusian theory – was a simple one. The population of a community, Malthus suggested, increases geometrically, while food supplies increase only arithmetically. If the natural increase in population occurs the food supply becomes insufficient and the size of the population is checked by "misery" – that is the poorest sections of the community suffer disease and famine.’ (PMM). Although his hypothesis was alarming to anyone of a benevolent nature, the Essay had great influence on the socio-economic thought of the 19th century, influencing theorists from Ricardo to Mill and Marx. It led to Quetelet's and Verhulst's precise statistical studies of population growth, and helped convince both Darwin and Wallace of the idea of ‘the struggle for existence.’ Garrison-Morton 1693; Kress B.3693; Norman 1431; PMM 251.
Octavo (208 x 128mm). (Small stain on 2B4, a few minor marginal spots.) 19th-century black half leather over marbled boards, flat spine gilt (extremities lightly rubbed); modern half morocco solander box. Provenance: inscription erased from title.
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