Nicomachean Ethics Of Aristotle, William Fitzgerald, Gift Inscription by Author, 1850 1st Edition

A SELECTION OF NICOMACHEAN ETHICS OF ARISTOTLE,

Containing a delineation of the moral virtues, with notes and an introductory discourse.

Bulk of text in Greek, with Introduction and Notes in English.

By William Fitzgerald, M.A., Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Dublin, and Prebendary of Donoughmore in the Cathedral of St. Patrick. 

Dublin: Hodges and Smith, Grafton-Street, Booksellers to the University. MDCCCL (1850).

Inscribed by the author along top margin of the title page, "Rev'd A. Townsend with the author's affectionate regards." Its possible they both met through the Church, or their time at Trinity College, Dublin.

After some research we believe the books owner was Reverend Aubrey Townsend. Aubrey was educated at Dr Burney's School in Greenwich, before he entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 1 November 1830 aged 18. The TCD Graduation List records that Aubrey qualified BA in Spring 1835, MA in Spring 1839 and BD in Spring 1847. Appointed Curate in Godalming in 1837 Aubrey moved to Hatfield in 1838 where he remained till 1841. He undertook ministerial work in Liverpool in 1841 and assumed the curacy of St Michael's, Bath under the Rev John East in January 1844, where he remained until July 1856. Following this he lived with his brother John Townsend at Weston super Mare and served the Curacy of Wick St Lawrence 1861-69 and Locking 1869-74. Aubrey was appointed Rector of Puxton, Somerset, in 1874 and remained there for the rest of his life. The church is famous for its leaning tower. Throughout his life Aubrey took a keen interest in history, theology and geology. On the death of his brother Edward Townsend in 1851, Aubrey inherited his freehold properties in Ireland and these he later passed over to his brother John.

William FitzGerald was an Anglican bishop, first of Cork, Cloyne and Ross and then of Killaloe and Clonfert. He was ordained deacon on 25 April 1838, and priest on 23 Aug. 1847, and while serving as curate of Lackagh, Kildare, made his first essay as an author. Philip Bury Duncan of New College, Oxford, having offered a sum of £50, for an essay on Logomachy, or the Abuse of Words, FitzGerald bore off the prize with the special commendation of the donor and an additional grant of 25l. for the expense of printing the essay. After serving the curacy of Clontarf, Dublin, from 1846 to 1848 he was collated to the vicarage and prebend of Donoughmore, in the diocese of Cork, on 16 Feb. in the latter year. From 1847 to 1852 he was professor of moral philosophy in Trinity College, Dublin, and from 1852 to 1857 was professor of ecclesiastical history at the same university. His next promotion was to the vicarage of St. Anne's, Dublin, 18 July 1851, whence he removed to the perpetual curacy of Monkstown, Dublin, on 13 May 1855, being in the same year also appointed prebendary of Timothan, Dublin, and Archdeacon of Kildare. On 8 March 1857 he was consecrated bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, and in 1862 was translated to Killaloe by letters patent dated 3 Feb. He was a voluminous author both under his own name and as an anonymous writer, and was the chief contributor to the series of papers called ‘The Cautions for the Times,’ which was edited by Archbishop Richard Whately in 1853. His edition of Bishop Butler's ‘Analogy’ displays such judgment and ‘learning without pedantry’ that it superseded all the previous editions. He had six children, including the noted scientist George FitzGerald. He was a theoretical physicist known for hypothesising length contraction, which became an integral part of Albert Einstein's special theory of relativity.

CONDITION:

Please view all listing photographs for the best understanding of condition. There are typical signs of age, use and wear. The brown cloth hardback binding is discoloured and faded, the edges of the boards and spine in particular. Corners and edges of boards shelf worn. Tiny specks of staining scattered. Trinity College blind stamped logo central to both boards. Gilt title bright on spine, head and tail a little crushed. Joints firm with no splitting. Yellow end pages and paste downs featuring advertisments for Classical Literature and Science books, a little soiled and foxed. Hinges firm with no splitting. Half title page has pencil notes naming Aubrey Townsend and Bishop Fitzgerald. Title page has the black ink gift inscription along top margin, above title. There is also ink writing beneath the authors name, "Bishop of Cork, 1859; Bishop of Killaloe 1862. Text block age toned and foxed throughout, text fully legible. No loose or missing pages. Page edges a little rough cut. 

The book measures 15cm x 23cm, 1.5cm thick.

Overall the book remains in good reading condition. Some typical signs of age and use for a book 176 years old. A scarce First Edition, with rare inscription by the Author. 

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