Literary Biography from Quercus Rare Books

London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, 1887. Here is the only biography of Burton written during his lifetime (and with his assistance). Penzer [p.306] considers this to be a "really good" life of the famed explorer and the first one worthy of the name. He calls it straightforward, without wandering off into "side channels" as Lady Burton does. Casada… Read more about this item

New York: Frank Harris, 1920. This biography of Frank Harris was first published in 1909; here it is revised ND "Published by the Author," [Frank Harris]. A Very Good copy of the First Edition Thus. Green cloth binding, with titling in gilt on the spine and front cover; with "Illustrated and Definitive Edition 1920" on the front. Clean text; 336… Read more about this item

Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1883. Anglo-Irish author Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849) was one of the most popular writers of the 19th century. here is the fourth book published by Helen Zimmern (1846-1934), the first volume in the publisher's "Famous Women" series..This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of the First Edition. Not common. Brown decorative cloth binding, stamped in black and with… Read more about this item

London: Chapman & Hall, LD., 1893. Lady Burton's biography of her famed explorer, linguist, and swordsman is notoriously flawed in many ways (she did, after all, burn his journals after his death) and Penzer notes (p.308) that she was "...not a suitable person to write her husband's biography." Nonetheless, it remains a primary source regarding this fascinating individual. This is… Read more about this item

New York, et.al.: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2001. This is a Near Fine copy of the First Edition. Brown paper-covered boards with titling on the spine in copper. Clean text; xvi, 383 pages. This copy has been SIGNED and INSCRIBED on the Title Page. Bumped to one corner, else a Fine copy. In an archival plastic protector.. Inscribed By… Read more about this item

New York: Boni & Liveright, 1923. Partial autobiography of Alexi Maximovich Peshkov (1868-1936), founding writer of the socialist realism style which came to dominate the Soviet Union. This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of the First American Edition. Blue cloth binding, ruled on the covers, with gilt titling on the spine. Clean text; 327 pages. Previous-owner signature on the… Read more about this item

New York/London: G.P. Putnam's Sons/Everett & Co., 1906. An early and important biography of the famed explorer and Arabist Somewhat controversial; Penzer refers to it as an "odd jumble of information." This is a Very Good (Minus) copy of the First American Edition (identical to the English of the same year). Red cloth bindingd with titling on the spine in… Read more about this item

London: W.H. Allen & Co., Limited, 1888. Supposedly, Disraeli had wanted his posthumous biography to be written by Thomas Edward Kebbel (1826-1917) but lacking any written instructions at Disraeli's death, the task was assigned to another. Obviously, Kebbel wrote this bio anyway. This is a Very Good copy of the Second Edition (stated). A scarce title. There is no publication… Read more about this item

New York: The Nordau Committee, 1943. Nordau (1849-1923) was a co-founder, with Theodor Herzl, of the World Zionist Organization. Here is a biography co-written by his spouse and daughter. This is a Very Good (Plus) to Near Fine copy of the First American Edition. [Translated from the original French.] Oatmeal cloth binding with titling in olive green on… Read more about this item

New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1908. "Ingleby" was one of the pseudonyms used by Cyril Arther Edward Ranger Gull (1875-1929) a prolific author of over 100 novels. Known for horror and mystery, but his most popular was "When It Was Dark," with an outright Jewish conspirac theme. He was connected to Wilde through his friendship with the Decadent publisher… Read more about this item

Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1961. Considered by many one of the best American autobiographies to have been written. Originally privately published in 1907; it gained fame when reissued by the Massachusetts Historical Society in 1917. This is a Near Fine copy of a Later Printing (the 36th), with a new Introduction by Denis Brogan in addition to the Preface from… Read more about this item

New York: Dodd Mead & Company, 1897. Isabel (1831-1896) was an author herself, but certainly overshadowed by her famous husband; unfortunately remembered for burning some of his more "controversial" translations. These are Very Good (Plus) to Near Fine copies of the First American Edition. Blue-black cloth binding, ruled on the covers in blue with her signature in gilt; the rules… Read more about this item

London: George Cawthorne, 1798. Dublin-born Edmund Burke (1729-1797), orator and political theorist, is regarded as the founder of modern conservatism. Although an Anglican, he supported Catholic emancipation. He was sympathetic to the American colonies, but did not support revolution either there or in France. This is a Very Good (Minus) copy of the First Edition, published in the year following… Read more about this item

New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009. An exceptional biography of this important and fascinating Italian author. This is a Fine copy of the First Edition (stated). Black paper-covered boards with silver titling on the spine. Clean text; xix, 426 pages; indexed. Chapter head illustrations from a German edition of Silone's "Frontamara." A handsome book. . First Edition. Hard Cover.… Read more about this item

London: T. Cadell, et.al., 1822. This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of Boswell's famous Life of Samuel Johnson. The Ninth Edition, Revised and Augmented" (First Edition Thus). This is Volume One ONLY of the original four. Full leather binding, with decorative gilt ruling on both covers. Five raised bands can be discerned under a later spine repair that has… Read more about this item

Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1877. These are Very Good (Plus) and Very Good (Minus) copies of the First American Edition, in a Fine Binding. Marbled paper-covered boards with leather tips and spine. The spine is highly decorative, with fancy gilt, five raised bands, and the labels in red and black. Clean texts; xi, 594 pages and 596 pages.… Read more about this item

Bombay: Alliance Press, 1863. This is a study and biography, by an educated Indian, that offers insights on colonial India in the mid-19th century. Harris was born in 1824, the son of a beggar, and eventually rose to become editor of th "Hindoo Patriot." An important source and Rare (Four copies held in the US, three in the UK). Full… Read more about this item

New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1874. Longmans published the First Edition of the great philosopher's autobiography in 1873, the year of his death; Holt began publishing it in the following year, and continued on into the Twentieth Century. There is no publication date for this copy, but it contains the note that it is "Published by arrangement with the… Read more about this item

New York: Mitchell Kennerley, 1908. Montrose (Jonas) Moses (1878-1934) authored several children's books, but is probably better-known for his work as an editor of "The Anglo-American Dramatic Register." This critical biography of the great modern dramatist has been reprinted, but original copies are uncommon. This is a near Fine copy of the First Edition. Brown cloth binding with gilt titling… Read more about this item

London: W.H. Allen & Co., Limited, 1890. Mrs. F(lorence) Fenwick Miller (1854-1935) was a journalist well-known as what we would today call a feminist. Her biography of Harriet Martineau (1802-1876), who has been called "the first modern sociologist," is a sympathetic one. Martineau was very prominent in the intellectual circles of her day, writing on history, political economy, and children's… Read more about this item