William Robertson; Dugald Stewart
The Works of William Robertson, D.D. In 8 Volumes
London, T. Cadell and others, 1827. Leather. An attractive set of the historical works of Dr. William Robertson, complete in eight volumes. Volume I contains an engraved portrait of Dr Robertson. Volumes VI, VII and VIII contain pull-out maps to the rear of the books. With introduction by Dugald Stewart. William Robertson (19 September 1721 – 11 June 1793) was a Scottish historian, minister of religion, and Principal of the University of Edinburgh. Robertson has been chiefly remembered as a historian. His four published historical works brought him considerable fame and wealth, and they helped establish historical writing as one of the foremost literary genres of Enlightenment Scotland. The dignity of his style brought equal dignity to the subject matter, and in no small measure Robertson's works helped pave the way for the dominance of history that was to follow in the nineteenth century. The scope of Robertson's historical imagination was also significant. He is the only major British historian of the period to attempt something like a global history, encompassing Scotland, continental Europe, colonial America, and India. Moreover, the focus of each of his works was equally extensive, taking in the broad patterns and movements of history, always seeking to place historical events in their widest context. Yet to remember Robertson only as a historian is to overlook much of the work of his life. He was not truly a professional historian, even though he was paid well for his writing. He saw himself working within a belletristic tradition in which history was a branch of oratory and the purpose of history was rhetorical and not to ascertain the truth in the eyes of God. Thus, the writing of history took its place easily alongside the development of university education and the ministry as a means of improving society. Through the comprehension of history, the development of education involving belles-lettres and moral philosophy, as well as science and medicine, and the inculcation of religious doctrines of a broadly tolerant cast, Robertson sought to build an enlightened society that combined both liberal and conservative values, dedicating his career not to revolution but to improvement and progress. In green half calf leather bindings with marbled paper covered boards. Externally, smart with slight rubbing. The corners are slightly bumped and worn on all volumes and there is some wear to the leather, particularly on the spines. The back strip on volume I is cracked and loosening. Internally, generally firmly bound. The front hinge on volume I is weak. Pages are generally bright and clean. There is a bookplate to the front pastedown in all volumes, dated 1894. Very Good . Ill.: Various. Very Good .

Rooke Books
Professional sellerBook number: SET17-F-6
GBP 495.00 [Appr.: EURO 574.5 US$ 670.39 | JP¥ 98473]
Keywords: William Robertson History Scotland History Various