1827 The Life of Napoleon Buonaparte, Emperor of the French. With a Preliminary View of the French Revolution

Description

Early Edition, Leather Binding, Pleasing Copy, Rebound, Scarce

A scarce set, complete in nine volumes of Sir Walter Scott's remarkable biography of Napoleon Buonaparte. The second edition, published in the same year as the first in 1827. 

An excellent set bound in half calf and marbled boards. Illustrating the life of the illustrious personage of Napoleon Buonaparte, as well as giving a preliminary view of the Revolution.

In 1825, Scott was approached by Constable and Co. to write some historical works, which were meant to be one of the first in a series of miscellaneous historical, cheap books for the middle class. However, in 1826 Constable failed business and was forced to close, and Sir Walter Scott declared bankruptcy. 

Despite the death of his wife in the same year, Scott kept on researching for his project, visiting London and Paris and consulting many official reports and papers. 

Originally planned as a four volume set, Scott concluded his work in nine books, supposedly reaching a one million word opus magnum. The first French edition was also published in 1827. 

Reception was both positive and negative, as Napoleon is depicted in a positive light despite Scott's declared impartiality; these volumes have indeed helped forming the Napoleonic legend.

With an extensive Appendix to the rear of Volume IX.