142

[William Livingston.]

Philosophic Solitude: or, The Choice of a Rural Life: A Poem.

Boston: B. Mecom, 1762
46 pages, plus final blank. 8vo, disbound; early owner's signature clipped from half-title, moderate foxing; errata slip laid down on page 21, uncut.

  • Notes: Second edition. William Livingston (1723-1790) originally published this anonymously in 1747 as "a Gentleman educated at Yale College." One of the first American poems to gain popularity, it went through at least 5 editions in the 18th century. The author later served in the Continental Congress and as governor of New Jersey from 1776 until his death. 

    This edition features new introductory poems dedicated "to the ingenious author" by N.W. [Noah Welles] and W.P.S. [William Peartree Smith]. It was printed by Benjamin Franklin's nephew Benjamin Mecom (1732-1766). Evans 9160; Stoddard & Whitesell 147; Wegelin 245. Only one of any edition traced at auction since 1985 (a first edition at Swann, 27 April 2017, lot 133). 
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