Warren, Mercy Otis | Mercy Warren's History of the American Revolution — the "first important historical work by an American Woman"

Warren, Mercy Otis 

History of the Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution. Interspersed with Biographical, Political and Moral Observations. Boston: Printed by Manning and Loring, 1805

3 vols., 8vo (298 x 130 mm). Early ownership signature to fly-leaves, scattered browning and soiling, unobtrusive ink stamp to each vol. Antique style calf, spines gilt, morocco title-labels.

First edition, the "first important historical work by an American Woman" (Howes).

"Despite its occasionally critical treatments of Adams and others, Warren's History is considerably more optimistic about the chances for the survival of American republicanism than her earlier statements had been: for example, her support for the federal Constitution, which she had opposed in the 1780s, was unstinting in the History. Even with this more equable view of the first years of the republic, however, Warren's essential differences from the Federalist approach remained unmistakable: she never stopped insisting that true liberty could only be the expression of a virtuous citizenry, and could not be managed or maintained through merely institutional manipulation" (ANB). 

REFERENCE

Howes W122; Revolutionary Hundred 93; Sabin 101484