(Madison, James) | An important association copy

(Madison, James)

Bentham, Jeremy. Chrestomathia, Part II containing Appendix, No. V, being an essay on nomenclature and classification. London: Printed for Messrs. Payne and Foss, Pall-Mall; and R. Hunter, 1816

8vo (225 x 140 mm, uncut). Unbound. Some spotting, old tape to title. Cloth slipcase.

An important presentation copy, inscribed on the title page: "To James Madison / From the Author"

Jeremy Bentham was a British philosopher, social reformer and writer on jurisprudence. During Madison's presidency the two corresponded on creating a written, codified statute law for the United States.

When John Quincy Adams served as American minister to England, he met with Bentham, who presented Adams with copies of his works, including this one on educational reform. It is quite likely it was John Quincy Adams who conveyed the present work to Madison.

It was reputed that Madison's library was almost as large as that of his friend Thomas Jefferson. However, as his library was dispersed without fanfare by his debt-ridden spouse, books from his library are uncommon on the market and no doubt some have gone unidentified as such.