Books

First edition of the one of the greatest manifestos of individualism ever written, advocating a complete personal freedom save where necessarily restricted to prevent harm, and establishing individual rights that neither government nor democratic majority can overrule. On Liberty "has been viewed by posterity as the kernel of [Mill's] social philosophy" (ODNB). "Many of Mill's ideas are now the commonplaces of democracy. His arguments for freedom of every kind of thought and speech have never been improved on. He was the first to recognize the tendency of a democratically elected majority to tyrannize over a minority" (PMM). Octavo. Original brown vertical-ribbed cloth, rebacked preserving spine lettered in gilt and stamped in blind, covers panelled in blind, red coated endpapers. With 4 pp. of publisher's advertisements at rear. Contemporary ownership signature on title page of one William Wallis. Binding and inner hinges discreetly restored, damp stain resulting in some discoloration to cloth and cockling to endpapers, contents clean bar light foxing at ends and the occasional mark: a very good copy. Hazlitt, The Free Man's Library, p. 116; MacMinn, Hainds & McCrimmon, p. 92; Printing and the Mind of Man 345.