By Wilfrid Prest
ISBN-10: 0191563994
ISBN-13: 9780191563997
ISBN-10: 0199550298
ISBN-13: 9780199550296
Attorney, pass judgement on, flesh presser, poet, instructor, and architect, William Blackstone was once a tremendous determine in eighteenth century public existence. Over his diverse and superb profession he made profound contributions to English politics, legislation, schooling, and tradition via involvements in criminal perform, Parliament, and the college of Oxford. all through he additionally remained engaged in his society's literary and non secular existence. regardless of the breadth and effect of his paintings, Blackstone the fellow continues to be little recognized and poorly understood, the shortcoming of engagement along with his private and non-private lifestyles status in stark distinction to the size of his impression, quite at the improvement and educating of the law.
Blackstone's 'Commentaries at the legislation of England continues to be the main celebrated and influential textual content within the Anglo-American common-law culture. This nice e-book has unavoidably overshadowed its writer, whereas the dispersal of his own papers additional complicates the duty of knowing the fellow at the back of the paintings. the inability of a radical account of Blackstone's lifestyles has fuelled controversy surrounding his highbrow historical past and political beliefs. used to be he the deeply reactionary conservative painted by way of Bentham, or fairly a dedicated reformer and early champion of human rights?
the current biography makes complete use of a substantial physique of latest proof that has emerged lately to make clear the existence, paintings, and occasions of this missed determine in English and American heritage. Exploring Blackstone's relatives upbringing and personal lifestyles, his political actions and beliefs, his non secular outlook and championing of the enlightenment, Prest weaves jointly the threads of a rare brain and career.
