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GODWIN, William (175-1836). Lives of Edward and John Philips, Nephews and Pupils of Milton. Including Various Particulars of the Literary and Political History of Their Times. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown, 1815. 4to. Illustrated with 3 engraved portraits, dated 1815. [xvi], [1]-410 pp. Approximately 11 ¼ x 8 ¾”. Bound in contemporary half burgundy levant morocco over marbled boards, spine lettered in gilt, five raised bands, marbled endleaves (rebacked preserving the original spine, some wear, soiling to binding, hinges starting, some occasional thumbsoiling in text). Near fine. FIRST EDITION, LARGE PAPER COPY. This learned work uncovers several heretofore unknown texts (about 40 or 50) by Milton’s nephews, and is one of the primary sources of information about them. Godwin, founder of philosophical anarchism and author of An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice (1793), believed that government was a corrupting influence in society, which perpetuates dependence and ignorance, but the spread of knowledge will render governments irrelevant. Perhaps he is most famous today for being the father of Mary Shelley (1797-1851), author of Frankenstein (1818).