This book contain collection of 7 books
1. A Defense of the Rockingham Party, in Their Late Coalition with the Right Honorable Frederic Lord North [1783, pamphlet]
2. Imogen: A Pastorial Romance from the Ancient British [1784]
3. Enquiry concerning Political Justice, and its Influence on General Virtue and Happiness [1793]
4. Things as They Are or The Adventures of Caleb Williams [1794]
5. Memoirs of the Author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman [1798]
6. Thoughts on Man, His Nature, Productions and Discoveries Interspersed with Some Particulars Respecting the Author [1831]
7. Lives of the Necromancers [1834]
About the Author
William Godwin
Philosopher and novelist, born at Wisbeach, and ed. at a school in Norwich, to which city his father, a Presbyterian minister, had removed, and subsequently at a Presbyterian college at Hoxton, with a view to the ministry. From 1778 to 1783 he acted as minister of various congregations near London; but his theological views having undergone important changes, he resigned his pastorate, and devoted himself to a literary career.
His first work, a series of historical sketches in the form of sermons, failed. He then found employment as one of the principal writers in the New Annual Register, and became otherwise prominent as an advocate of political and social reform. Many of his views were peculiar and extreme, and even tended, if fully carried out in practice, to subvert morality; but they were propounded and supported by their author with a whole-hearted belief in their efficacy for the regeneration of society: and the singular circumstances of his connection with and ultimate marriage to Mary Wollstonecraft showed at least that he had the courage of his opinions.
His Enquiry concerning Political Justice [1793] made him famous. A year later he published his masterpiece, Caleb Williams, a novel exhibiting a sombre strength rarely equalled. The next few years were occupied in political controversy, for which Godwin was, by his sincerity and his masculine style, well fitted; and it was in the midst of these — in 1797 — that his first marriage, already alluded to, and the death of his wife, of whom he published a singular but interesting Life, occurred. In 1799 his second great novel, St. Leon, based upon the philosopher’s stone and the elixir of life, appeared. His other novels, Fleetwood [1804], Mandeville [1817], and Cloudesley [1830], are much inferior. In addition to these works Godwin brought out an elaborate Life of Chaucer in 2 vols. [1803], An Essay on Sepulchres [1808], containing much fine thought finely expressed, A History of the Commonwealth, an Essay against the theories of Malthus (q.v.), and his last work, Lives of the Necromancers.
