The Commonplace Book of William Byrd II of Westover (Paperback, New edition)

William Byrd II (1674-1744) was an important figure in the history of colonial Virginia: a founder of Richmond, an active participant in Virginia politics, and the proprietor of one of the colony's greatest plantations. But Byrd is best known today for his diaries. Considered essential documents of private life in colonial America, they offer readers an unparalleled glimpse into the world of a Virginia gentleman. This book joins Byrd's Diary, Secret Diary, and other writings in securing his reputation as one of the most interesting men in colonial America. Edited and presented here for the first time, Byrd's commonplace book is a collection of moral wit and wisdom gleaned from reading and conversation. The nearly six hundred entries range in tone from hope to despair, trust to dissimulation, and reflect on issues as varied as science, religion, women, Alexander the Great, and the perils of love. A ten-part introduction presents an overview of Byrd's life and addresses such topics as his education and habits of reading and his endeavors to understand himself sexually, temperamentally, and religiously, as well as the history and cultural function of commonplacing. Extensive annotations discuss the sources, background, and significance of the entries.

General

Imprint:	The University of North Carolina Press
Country of origin:	United States
Series:	Published for the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture, Williamsburg, Virginia
Release date:	March 2014
First published:	March 2014
Editors:	Kenneth A. Lockridge
Dimensions:	235 x 156 x 19mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	336
Edition:	New edition
ISBN-13:	978-1-4696-1523-3
Categories:	Books > Language & Literature > Literature: texts > Essays, journals, letters & other prose works > General Books > Humanities > History > World history > 1750 to 1900 Books > Humanities > History > American history > General Books > History > American history > General Books > History > World history > 1750 to 1900 Promotions
LSN:	1-4696-1523-1
Barcode:	9781469615233

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