1749 – Life of Socrates | First Edition, Greek Philosophy Aristotle, Cicero, Xenophon

The Life of Socrates by John Gilbert Cooper, first published in 1749, is a biographical sketch of the ancient philosopher Socrates. Cooper bases this narrative on Xenophon’s Memorabilia and the dialogues of Plato, as well as other shorter references from Aristotle, Boethius, and Cicero. Not only did Cooper reference numerous other ancient writers but also modern philosophers such as the commentaries from Voltaire. All around this is a well-researched and authoritative history of the life of Socrates.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Life of Socrates: Collected from the Memorabilia of Xenophon and the Dialogues of Plato
• Author(s): John Gilbert Cooper
• Illustrator(s):
• Contributor(s): Voltaire, Xenophon, Cicero, Boethius, Apuleius, and Diodorus Siculus
• Publisher: London, Printed for R. Dodsley
• Edition: First edition, 1749
• Format: (8vo), single volume
• Binding: Full leather
• Size:  8 in x 5 in (20.3 cm x 12.7 cm)
• Collation: 179, [1] pp
• Illustrations: Engraved frontispiece portrait of Socrates
• Contents Include:
  • References from Memorabilia of Xenophon and Dialogues of Plato
  • Critiques of pagan superstition and atheism
  • Comparative views on virtue and beauty

Condition:

Very Good. Period leather boards show wear to corners and edges, joints firm. Spine has visible gilt remnants. Pages complete with light toning and occasional foxing. Frontis intact. Text block sound.

Why Collect This?

• First edition with early material on Socrates based on Xenophon
• Cites a wide classical range including Plato and Aristotle
• Suitable for collections of early modern philosophy with the inclusion of Voltaire commentary

Item Number: #29575