William Dodd — Thoughts in Prison

London, Chiswick Press, 1818. Leather. A pocket sized edition of William Dodd's poem. With an engraved title page. From the antiquarian library of Christopher Rowe. Christopher Rowe was a schoolmaster in Norwich and then in Bristol. Throughout his career he inspired many to love literature, history and music. He was a specialist on 17th century printer and bookseller, Humphrey Moseley and began his, unfortunately unfinished, PhD dissertation on him. William Dodd wrote this blank verse poem whilst he was in Newgate Prison between his conviction and execution. Dodd dabbed in forgery to clear his debts from his extravagant lifestyle. He was therefore imprisoned. Despite a public campaign for a Royal pardon he was hanged. This work also contains Dodd's last prayer, an account of the author's life and the examples of letters from the campaign. In a full straight grained morocco binding with gilt stamping to the board edges. Externally, sound with slight rubbing to the extremities and to the head and tail of spine. Tear to final leaf resulting in loss to text of final two pages. Prior owner's inscription to front pastedown and to the title page. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are age toned, particularly the title page, with instances of spotting throughout. Good . Ill.: None. Good .