Difference between revisions of "Epitome of All the Common and Statute Laws of this Nation, Now in Force"
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− | }}[[File:SheppardEpitome1656Marginalia.jpg|left|thumb|350px|<center>Marginalia and initial capital, page 82.</center>]]William Sheppard (1595-1674) was a highly influential legal and religious reformer in England during the early and middle part of the 17th century.<ref>Nancy L. Matthews, [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/25349 | + | }}[[File:SheppardEpitome1656Marginalia.jpg|left|thumb|350px|<center>Marginalia and initial capital, page 82.</center>]]William Sheppard (1595-1674) was a highly influential legal and religious reformer in England during the early and middle part of the 17th century.<ref>Nancy L. Matthews, "[http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/25349 Sheppard, William (bap. 1595, d. 1674)]" in ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', accessed October 10, 2013.</ref> After being called to the bar in 1629, Sheppard became a well-known lawyer in the rural part of England from 1631 until 1654. During this time, he served as steward for several manors, and was an attorney of Gloucester’s local court. In addition to his practice, Sheppard published several legal texts. Many of these were based upon Sheppard’s own observations of the cases involved in his local practice. He also wrote several religious texts on a variety of topics.<ref>Ibid.</ref><br /> |
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In 1653 Sheppard was called to London by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Cromwell Oliver Cromwell] to assist him in the creation of a law reform program.<ref>Nancy L. Matthews, ''William Sheppard, Cromwell's Law Reformer'' (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984), 31.</ref> Some experts believe that both Sheppard’s religious and legal publications were the ultimate for his selection.<ref>Matthews, “Sheppard, William."</ref> During Sheppard's three years with Cromwell he published nine texts in support of the administration’s agenda.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Some of his best known works during this period included ''Precedent of Precedents'', which contained standardized forms to register land, and ''An Epitome of All the Common and Statute Laws of the Nation now in Force'', which was one of the earliest attempts at an abridged legal encyclopedia.<ref>"Tarlton Law Library - Law Dictionary Collection - online exhibit," Tarlton Law Library, The University of Texas at Austin, accessed October 10, 2013, http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/exhibits/dictionaries/common_law/sheppard.html.</ref> | In 1653 Sheppard was called to London by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Cromwell Oliver Cromwell] to assist him in the creation of a law reform program.<ref>Nancy L. Matthews, ''William Sheppard, Cromwell's Law Reformer'' (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984), 31.</ref> Some experts believe that both Sheppard’s religious and legal publications were the ultimate for his selection.<ref>Matthews, “Sheppard, William."</ref> During Sheppard's three years with Cromwell he published nine texts in support of the administration’s agenda.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Some of his best known works during this period included ''Precedent of Precedents'', which contained standardized forms to register land, and ''An Epitome of All the Common and Statute Laws of the Nation now in Force'', which was one of the earliest attempts at an abridged legal encyclopedia.<ref>"Tarlton Law Library - Law Dictionary Collection - online exhibit," Tarlton Law Library, The University of Texas at Austin, accessed October 10, 2013, http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/exhibits/dictionaries/common_law/sheppard.html.</ref> | ||
==Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library== | ==Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library== | ||
− | [[Dean Bibliography|Dean's Memo]]<ref>[[Dean Bibliography|Memorandum from Barbara C. Dean]], Colonial Williamsburg Found., to Mrs. Stiverson, Colonial Williamsburg Found. (June 16, 1975), 14 (on file at Wolf Law Library, College of William & Mary).</ref> includes the 1656 edition of Sheppard's ''Epitome'' based on Alan Smith's assertion that Jefferson cites the work in his commonplace book.<ref>Alan McKinley Smith "Virginia Lawyers, 1680-1776: The Birth of an American Profession" (PhD diss., The Johns Hopkins University, 1967), 263.</ref> The Wolf Law Library followed Dean's recommendation and purchased the same edition. | + | [[Dean Bibliography|Dean's Memo]]<ref>[[Dean Bibliography|Memorandum from Barbara C. Dean]], Colonial Williamsburg Found., to Mrs. Stiverson, Colonial Williamsburg Found. (June 16, 1975), 14 (on file at Wolf Law Library, College of William & Mary).</ref> includes the 1656 edition of Sheppard's ''Epitome'' based on Alan Smith's assertion that Jefferson cites the work in his commonplace book.<ref>Alan McKinley Smith, "Virginia Lawyers, 1680-1776: The Birth of an American Profession" (PhD diss., The Johns Hopkins University, 1967), 263.</ref> The Wolf Law Library followed Dean's recommendation and purchased the same edition. |
[[File:SheppardEpitome1656LooseInscription.jpg|left|thumb|350px|<center>Loose inscription (formerly on pastedown?).</center>]] | [[File:SheppardEpitome1656LooseInscription.jpg|left|thumb|350px|<center>Loose inscription (formerly on pastedown?).</center>]] | ||
==Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy== | ==Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy== |
Revision as of 15:35, 16 April 2014
by William Sheppard
An Epitome of All the Common & Statute Laws of This Nation Now in Force | |
Title page from An Epitome of All the Common & Statute Laws of This Nation Now in Force, George Wythe Collection, Wolf Law Library, College of William & Mary. | |
Author | William Sheppard |
Published | London: Printed for W. Lee, D. Pakemann, F. Wright, H. Twyford, G. Bedell, Tho. Brewster, Ed. Dod, and F. Place |
Date | 1656 |
Language | English |
Pages | 12, 1131 |
Desc. | Folio (29 cm.) |
In 1653 Sheppard was called to London by Oliver Cromwell to assist him in the creation of a law reform program.[3] Some experts believe that both Sheppard’s religious and legal publications were the ultimate for his selection.[4] During Sheppard's three years with Cromwell he published nine texts in support of the administration’s agenda.[5] Some of his best known works during this period included Precedent of Precedents, which contained standardized forms to register land, and An Epitome of All the Common and Statute Laws of the Nation now in Force, which was one of the earliest attempts at an abridged legal encyclopedia.[6]
Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library
Dean's Memo[7] includes the 1656 edition of Sheppard's Epitome based on Alan Smith's assertion that Jefferson cites the work in his commonplace book.[8] The Wolf Law Library followed Dean's recommendation and purchased the same edition.
Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy
Bound in contemporary calf with blind rules to boards. Rebacked in period style with raised bands and lettering pieces. Original head of title page missing and replaced by modern period-style copy. Includes marginalia throughout volume and a loose inscription, possibly removed from one of the original pastedowns. Purchased from The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd.
View this book in William & Mary's online catalog.
References
- ↑ Nancy L. Matthews, "Sheppard, William (bap. 1595, d. 1674)" in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, accessed October 10, 2013.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Nancy L. Matthews, William Sheppard, Cromwell's Law Reformer (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984), 31.
- ↑ Matthews, “Sheppard, William."
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ "Tarlton Law Library - Law Dictionary Collection - online exhibit," Tarlton Law Library, The University of Texas at Austin, accessed October 10, 2013, http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/exhibits/dictionaries/common_law/sheppard.html.
- ↑ Memorandum from Barbara C. Dean, Colonial Williamsburg Found., to Mrs. Stiverson, Colonial Williamsburg Found. (June 16, 1975), 14 (on file at Wolf Law Library, College of William & Mary).
- ↑ Alan McKinley Smith, "Virginia Lawyers, 1680-1776: The Birth of an American Profession" (PhD diss., The Johns Hopkins University, 1967), 263.