Author: Edmund Boisgilbert [Ignatius Donnelly]
Title: Doctor Huguet: A Novel
Description: London, Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1892. Cloth. A very scarce first UK edition, first impression of this novel exploring racism in the American South. The first UK edition, first impression of this work in the publisher's original cloth binding.Bookplate of 'Hambleton Reading and Recreation Room Lending Library' to the front paste down.A novel concerning the racism of the American South by the American Congressman, fringe scientist and writer Ignatius Donnelly (1831-1901), published under the pseudonym of Edmund Boisgilbert. Donnelly is best known for his theories concerning Atlantis, Catastrophism and the Shakespearean authorship question. In this work, Doctor Alfred Huguet, an affluent Southern white man, finds he has exchanged bodies with a Southern black man who has been accused of stealing chickens. The work is an unusual insight into the perspective of racial issues, written by a Northerner from a predominantly white state. Donnelly had become involved in minority issues towards the end of the Civil War, and spoke in the House of Representatives regarding their contributions to the war and therefore the unfairness of their treatment in the wake of this. Donnelly's multiple attempts to speak to Congress on the topic create little discussion, with Doctor Huguet written as a way to spark public discussion on the issue. Unfortunately, the work did not have the intended impact, not least due to Donnelly's unusual political and significantly inaccurate scientific thought which is prevalent throughout the work. The work is however, an important early example of advanced humanistic ideas and a unique book of its time. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, generally smart, with shelf wear to the joints and extremities, more so to the head and tail of the spine. Faint marks to the rear board. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean except for the odd spot or handling mark to the first and last couple of pages. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .

Keywords: Ignatius Donnelly Edmund Boisgilbert American literature American South Edmund Boisgilbert Not Stated


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