RAPIN DE THOYRAS, Paul.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

The History of England. Second edition in English and the first in folio, following publication in French in quarto between 1723 and 1725, and in English in octavo from 1725 to 1731.Rapin's monumental work - beginning with the landing of Julius Caesar and ending with the accession of William and Mary - was an influential exposition of the Whig interpretation of history on both sides of the Channel. Tindal's translation and notes aided this influence: "Through copious footnotes and politicized prefaces Tindal was an important contributor to the remarkable success of Rapin's History. His footnotes added extra topical detail and recounted well-known legends about English history. They also incorporated political criticisms of church history and revealed religion. Tindal's dedications... attempted to show how Rapin's History could inform understanding of contemporary politics" (ODNB).A third volume was published in 1737, and a third edition followed in 1743, but "that of 1732 is preferable as regards impressions of the plates" (Lowndes).

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