History of the Commonwealth of England

London: Henry Colburn, 1824-28. First edition. Leather. Good. 8.5" by 5.5". Not Stated. The first edition of this intellectual history of the British Commonwealth by William Godwin, complete in four volumes. A radical, intellectual history of the British Commonwealth by William Godwin, nineteenth-century anarchist and philosopher. Godwin was married to noted feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft, and father to author of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley. An important figure in the utilitarian and libertarian movements. This work is a reflection of his anarchist and libertarian beliefs, with his take on the government of the Commonwealth holding great influence on the student of late eighteenth century British political thought. The first edition of this work. Complete in four volumes. In full contemporary calf binding with the crest of 'The Society of Writers to the Signet' to the front board of each volume. Containing a small sticker to the front pastedown of each volume. In full contemporary calf binding with the crest of 'The Society of Writers to the Signet' to the front board of each volume. Externally, rebacked, with some rubbing to the spines and extremities of each volume. More significant rubbing to the spine of Volume II. Some shelf wear to the boards. Containing a small sticker to the front pastedown of each volume, and a few small pencil notations to the front free-endpaper and front pastedown of each volume. Internally, firmly bound. The odd mark or spot to the pages, which are otherwise bright and clean. Good