[NICHOLAS, William]

The Irish Historical Library. Pointing at most of the Authors and Records in Print or Manuscript which may be serviceable to the Compilers of a General History of Ireland by William, Lord Bishop of Derry

      Dublin. Printed by Aaron Rhames for R. Owen. 1724. 19.5cm, the first edition, xxxviii,246,[x],p., appendix, index, rebound in full brown calf, raised gilt ruled bands, blind decorations in the panels, crushed crimson morocco label, a fine copy (cgc.2x) - William Nicholson, 1655 - 1727, Archbishop of Cashel, was a native of Cumberland. He was translated to the lucrative bishopric of Derry in 1718 and eight years later to the archbishopric of Cashel. His great work was entitled Historical Library published in Dublin in 1724, containing a valuable list of authors and records in print and manuscript relating to the history of Ireland. Walter Harris in his edition of Ware says: "he fell into many errors in this work, for want of sufficient acquaintance with the Irish manuscripts and language. But not withstanding that, much thanks are due to him for the extraordinary pains he took to informhimself about the materials which he may be had for improving Irish history".. F. Hardcover.