Books

An Essay on the Principle of Population, or A View of its Past and Present Effects on Human Happiness; With An Inquiry into our Prospects Respecting the Future Removal or Mitigation of the Evils which it Occasions8vo Modern ½-brown calf leather binding over marbled boards, gilt decorated spine with 5 raised bands, two black and red gilt lettered morocco labels; new endpapers added London: Printed for John Murray, 1817 Fifth Edition with Important Additions 3 volumes An Essay on the Principle of Population was first published anonymously in 1798 through J Johnson (London) The author was soon identified as The Reverend Thomas Robert Malthus In 1803 a second and much enlarged edition was published, with the author acknowledged Later editions were taken from the second edition, and there are additional changes throughout the sixth edition It has been acknowledged as one of the most influential economic works in history Library stamps on the title pages; some numbers in pencil on the copyright pages; title page of volume 1 worn, with a small tape repair; o/w Fine Rare.

The book addresses the relationship between population growth and food supply. Malthus argued that population tends to grow exponentially, while food production increases only arithmetically, meaning that population growth would eventually outpace the ability to produce enough food. He suggested that without checks, such as famine, disease, or war, overpopulation would lead to widespread poverty and suffering. Malthus identified two types of checks on population growth: "positive checks," which raise the death rate (such as famine and disease), and "preventive checks," which reduce the birth rate (such as moral restraint, later marriage, or celibacy). He believed that without preventive measures, human misery was inevitable. Malthus’s work had a lasting influence on economic and demographic theories, and his ideas about population pressure also influenced Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Although some of his predictions were mitigated by technological advances in agriculture, his work remains important in discussions of overpopulation and resource sustainability.