Erasmo

1798 · ref. 167893 — Philadelphia: Printed by John Ormrod 1798. A "determined stand against the nearly universal belief that women ought to be feather-brained and feeble-bodied" First American edition of Darwin's treatise on the education of women presented here in a well-preserved contemporary binding. This copy's title page is signed in a contemporary hand by one "Eliza Phelan". Although Darwin ultimately sought to educate women so as to make them useful companions for men his was a more equal "different but complementary" conception of the male-female relationship than was commonly held ODNB. The Plan advocated the creation of dedicated schools for girls where such subjects as botany and experimental philosophy would be taught. "In retrospect the most important feature of the book is his determined stand against the nearly universal belief that women ought to be feather-brained and feeble-bodied. He was taking the first crucial step along the path that has led to sexual equality and feminism" King-Hele p. 284. Darwin wrote from the start with practical applications in mind: the work originated as advice to his two illegitimate daughters for whom he had bought a converted inn to run as a school for girls. It is perhaps for this reason that the work has been described as "the most appealing of Darwin's prose publications" ibid. p. 282. The Plan was originally published in Derby in 1797: the US edition was published a year later with Darwin's slender tract bound with the unrelated Rudiments of Taste a work which had been published several times before in Philadelphia and London over the previous decade. Duodecimo 168 x 99 mm. Engraved frontispiece numerous engraved head and tailpieces in the text. Contemporary speckled sheep smooth spine ruled in gilt forming 5 compartments red morocco label to second. Late 19th-century book label of one "Jean Rouche" to front pastedown. Small hole to foot of spine very light bumping and wear to extremities small ink stain to p. 38 over text without affecting legibility slight separation within gatherings I-N: a very good copy. ESTC W27662. Desmond King-Hele Erasmus Darwin: a Life of Unequalled Achievement 1999. unknown