DILWORTH, W.H.

The Life of Alexander Pope, Esq; with a View of his Writings, and Many Curious Anecdotes of his Noble Patrons. As well as of his Cotemporary Wits, Friends, and Foes.

      London: Printed for G. Wright, 1759. - [iv], 151. [1]pp., 18mo. With the half-title. Printed on poor paper, and with some browning and a few very slight marginal tears, still a sound copy in the original blind-ruled sheep; upper cover creased and joints split, but firm on the cords. First edition of an uncommon biography of Pope. Dilworth produced many popular biographies in children’s-book format, and this one could readily be said to be aimed at children as well as more modestly-financed general readers. When Pope was yet a child, his father, who had been a merchant in London, and was retired to Binfield. . . would order him very often to compose English verses. The old gentleman, it seems, who had a nice ear, and was not easily to be pleased, would therefore oblige young Alexander to make frequent alterations. . . . ESTC notes a terminal advertisement leaf in the Princeton copy, but this is clearly a single-leaf insertion. [Attributes: First Edition]