"ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOKS IN THE WHOLE HISTORY OF CRIMINOLOGY": BECCARIA'S ESSAY ON CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS, 1767
BECCARIA, Cesare Bonsana, Marchese di. An Essay on Crimes and Punishments. Translated from the Italian with a Commentary, Attributed to Mons. De Voltaire, Translated from the French. London: Printed for J. Almon, 1767. Octavo contemporary full brown calfrebacked with original spine laid down, black morocco spine label.
First edition in English of Beccaria's influential Essay, a work whose impact "can hardly be exaggerated" (PMM), an exceptional copy in contemporary calf.
"With the advent of the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century," demands for reform in criminal justice and the penal system grew. "In this generally favourable climate of opinion there was published one of the most influential books in the whole history of criminology, Crimes and Punishments, issued anonymously in 1764. Its author, only 26 years of age at the time, was Cesare Beccaria, Marchese Beccaria-Bonesana… Having read Montesquieu's Lettres Persanes and being deeply influenced by the rationalist thinkers of his age, Beccaria was appalled at what he saw" in his many visits to prisons and courts. This "short but pregnant book was a result of these experiences and of his reading… The success of Beccaria's book was immediate… Its principles have been incorporated into the criminal practice of all civilized countries… Voltaire was one of Beccaria's most enthusiastic followers—he published a commentary on the book—as were Blackstone, Bentham and John Howard. The impact of An Essay on Crimes and Punishments (Dei Delitti e delle Pene) can hardly be exaggerated" (PMM 209). Goldsmith I:10357. NYU, 488. Palgrave I:127. Sowerby 2349. ESTC T138985. Small owner bookplate.
Text very fresh with only faint foxing mainly to preliminaries, light expert restoration to contemporary calf. A handsome near-fine copy.