Author: GRAY (Thomas):
Title: The Poems of Mr. Gray. To which are added Memoirs of his Life and Writings by W. Mason.
Description: York: Printed by A. Ward; and sold by J. Dodsley...; T. Cadell...; and J. Todd..., 1778. 4 volumes. 8vo, pp. [iv], 168 [169 Contents, 170 blank]; xv [xvi blank], 161 [162 blank]; xii, 166; xiv, 239 [240 blank], contemporary calf, gilt spines, morocco labels; no portrait in volume 1, two blank leaves, title-page and three following leaves wormed in volume 2 (slightly affecting "m" and "s" in "Poems"), tops and bases of spines chipped, joints a little fragile, but a decent set. Mason published the first collected edition of Gray's poems in 1775, four years after the poet's death in 1771. He included a number of poems that Gray had chosen not to print, and his biographical method, using Gray's letters to form a narrative, was innovative. Mason's memoirs of Gray's life have some utilitarian value, but later scholars have not forgiven him for falsifying some of the letters and destroying the originals.

Keywords: poetry biography literature


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