S. T. Coleridge 

Signed Copy

THE LIFE OF WESLEY

With Extensive Manuscript 

Notes and Annotations by Coleridge 

James Gillman Provenance

London, 1820

LIFE OF WESLEY; And the Rise and Progress of Methodism. Robert Southey, Esq., Poet Laureate, Member of the Royal Spanish Academy, of the Royal Spanish Academy of History, and of the Royal Institute of the Netherlands. London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, Paternoster-Row, 1820. Complete in Two Volumes.

S. T. Coleridge's personal copy of this important biographical work of John Wesley, founder of the global Methodist movement and the most significant religious figure of eighteenth century England. This copy contains extensive manuscript notes and annotations, in the hand of both S. T. Coleridge and James Gillman.

As a friend of the author, Coleridge received his copy of this edition (printed the same year as the first) from Robert Southey. Coleridge's annotated copy of that first printing is institutionally held in the Berg Collection of the NYPL. His copy of the second printing remained in private hands through the estate of James Gillman and is here offered to the public.

S. T. Coleridge (1772-1834) was a celebrated English poet, literary critic, philosopher and theologian, who with his friend William Wordsworth, was a founder of the Romantic Movement in England and a member of the Lake Poets. 

He also shared volumes and collaborated with Charles Lamb, Charles Lloyd and Robert Southey (as illustrated in this listing). He wrote the poems "The Time of the Ancient Mariner" and "Kubla Khan," as well as other well known works. His work on William Shakespeare was highly influential. He was a major influence on Ralph Waldo Emerson and  the rise of American transcendentalism. 

Throughout his life, Coleridge had crippling bouts of anxiety and depression; it has been speculated that he had bipolar disorder, which had not been defined during his lifetime. He was treated for these conditions with laudanum, which fostered a lifelong opium addiction. As a result, he spent the final years of his living in the residence of Dr. James Gillman and under his care. Coleridge spent eighteen years with the Gillman family, who built an addition to their home to accommodate the poet. 

This remarkable text is a product of that time. Later editions of this work would include Coleridge's original annotations, as partially contained in this manuscript. 

Contemporary half-calf and marbled boards, with mild wear to extremities. Gilt-ruled compartments and original red leather title-labels (one per volume). Hinges re-enforced, text-blocks sound. 

An extraordinary acquisition from the personal library of S. T. Coleridge and subsequently Dr James Gillman, by descent.