SPARKS, Jared. The Life of George Washington. Boston: Ferdinand Andrews, 1839. 1st ed. xx,562pp. HOWES S-816. One of the most important biographies of George Washington.
Presentation inscription from the author on the ¬Ω-title: "John G. Palfrey, with the compliments and regards of the Author, Jan. 31st 1839." Palfrey (1796-1881) was at this time Professor of Biblical Literature at Harvard Divinity School and editor of the North American Review (which Sparks had edited before him). He also served a term in Congress, where he was a "Conscience" Whig, having freed 16 slaves inherited from his father, who, like his two brothers, was a successful Louisiana plantation owner. Palfrey also advocated for the rights of free blacks traveling in the South and attempted unsuccessfully to remove provisions that limited suffrage to whites in Oregon's Territorial Constitution.
Date
1839
Condition
Frontis., portraits, plates, plans. Orig. blindstamped cloth. Spine slightly sunned, light wear to corners, rebacked, original spine laid down, light foxing to outer leaves, else very good.
References
Book
Cite this object as“The Life of George Washington.” The Soiferman Collection, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. EIS LIBRIS, https://eislibris.com/objects/the-life-of-george-washington (accessed [date]).
