Product Description
A handsome First Edition of one of the earliest modern studies devoted to biography as a literary art, written by distinguished American historian and biographer William Roscoe Thayer )1859-1923).
Published by Charles Scribner's Sons in 1920, the volume originated as the prestigious Barbour-Page Lectures delivered at the University of Virginia and dedicated to university president Edwin Anderson Alderman.
Thayer traces the evolution of biography from the ancient world through the Middle Ages and into the nineteenth century, examining how biography differs from history while illustrating his arguments with examples ranging from the Biblical story of Joseph and classical writers to Boswell, Carlyle, Macaulay, and other celebrated biographers.
The volume concludes with a valuable contemporary bibliography that remains an interesting snapshot of biographical scholarship at the dawn of the twentieth century.
William Roscoe Thayer was among America's foremost historical biographers, best remembered for his acclaimed works on Theodore Roosevelt, John Hay, and Count Cavour.
His thoughtful exploration of biography as both historical record and literary expression helped shape twentieth century thinking on the craft of life writing.
Because this work was issued in relatively modest numbers and its fragile tan dust jacket was particularly susceptible to wear and loss, surviving first editions retaining the original jacket are increasingly sought by collectors of literary criticism, biography, book history, and early twentieth-century Americana.
Near Fine blue cloth hardcover with bright gilt spine lettering, square binding, and exceptionally clean boards exhibiting only minimal shelf wear.
Interior is remarkably clean and bright with no writing, bookplates, or library markings observed.
The original publisher's dust jacket is present and complete in Very Good condition, displaying moderate age toning, light edge wear, several small chips at the spine ends and corners, and a few short closed tears that have been neatly reinforced on the reverse with archival-quality tape.
The jacket remains highly presentable and uncommon in any original state.
A true First Edition, confirmed by the title page dated 1920 and the copyright page stating 'Published September, 1920.
' No subsequent printings are indicated.
![[First Edition] The Art of Biography 1920 First Edition William Roscoe Thayer Scribner William Roscoe Thayer [Used - Near fine] [Hardcover]](https://r.kelkoo.com/resize.php?country=ca&merchantId=100567270&categoryId=5101&trackingId=96985762&width=auto&height=auto&image=https%3A%2F%2Fpictures.abebooks.com%2Finventory%2F32480278042.jpg&sign=16602rrJrMSW.7KI.FKsgPCS3.eiaLWxdPGXghDSc1Y-)
