Difference between revisions of "General Abridgment of Law and Equity"

From Wythepedia: The George Wythe Encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
m
(29 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{DISPLAYTITLE: ''A General Abridgment of Law and Equity''}}
+
{{DISPLAYTITLE: ''A General Abridgment of Law and Equity: Alphabetically Digested Under Proper Titles with Notes and References to the Whole''}}
 
===by Charles Viner===
 
===by Charles Viner===
__NOTOC__
+
{{BookPageInfoBox
<blockquote>Viner entered the Middle Temple in 1700, and although he was never called to the bar he kept chambers in King's Bench Walk, Temple, from where he gave occasional legal advice. His real interest, however, was more in the literature of the law than in its practice. He began to collect notes of recently decided cases in 1703, but devoted the greater part of his life to the exhaustive arrangement of existing legal materials under alphabetical headings, based on the works of his predecessors Robert Brooke and Henry Rolle. His General abridgment of law and equity: alphabetically digested under proper titles, with notes and references to the whole was published in 23 volumes between 1742 and 1757 (the final volume posthumously). This was printed, reputedly under Viner's direction at his own home, on paper watermarked with his monogram, published by him personally, and the earlier volumes sold from his chambers in the Temple. Though unwieldy to use, it was the most comprehensive attempt to render accessible the legal materials printed before his time, and it remains an invaluable key to these works. An Alphabetical Index to the work was published by Robert Kelham in 1758, and incorporated into the second edition of the Abridgment (1791–4).<ref> David Ibbetson, ‘Viner, Charles (bap. 1678, d. 1756)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Oct 2006 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/28317, accessed 30 May 2013]</ref> </blockquote>
+
|imagename=VinersAbridgement1741v3.jpg
 +
|link=https://catalog.libraries.wm.edu:443/01COWM_WM:01COWM_WM_ALMA:01COWM_WM_ALMA21555711030003196
 +
|shorttitle=A General Abridgment of Law and Equity
 +
|commontitle=Viner's Abridgment
 +
|vol=volume three
 +
|author=[[:Category:Charles Viner|Charles Viner]]
 +
|publoc=[[:Category:Aldershot|Aldershot]]
 +
|publisher=For the Author, by Agreement with the Law-Patentees
 +
|year=1741-1753
 +
|edition=First
 +
|lang=[[:Category: English|English]]
 +
|set=23
 +
|desc=[[:Category: Folios|Folio]] (34 cm.)
 +
|shelf=J-5
 +
|shelf2=K-5
 +
}}[[wikipedia:Charles Viner (jurist)|Charles Viner]] (bap. 1678, d. 1756) studied at Hart Hall, Oxford, but never completed his studies.<ref>David Ibbetson, "[http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/28317 Viner, Charles (bap. 1678, d. 1756)]" ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', accessed November 21, 2013.</ref> He gained admission to the [[wikipedia:Middle Temple|Middle Temple]] in 1700.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Although never called to bar, Viner kept chambers at the King's Bench Walk, Temple where he gave occasional legal advice.<ref>Ibid.</ref> In his free time he enjoyed researching the literature of the law, and his ''Abridgment'' began as more of a hobby than a source of income. Viner based his work on Rolle's ''Abridgment'', but thought of it as more of a supplement to the uncompleted [[wikipedia:D'Anvers' Abridgment|D'Anvers's ''Abridgement'']].<ref>Percy H. Winfield, ''The Chief Sources of English Legal History'' (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1925), 244.</ref> Thus, he started his work where D'Anvers left off: at the letter "F."<ref>Ibid.</ref>
  
==Bibliographic Information==
+
Viner's work took over half a century, resulting in twenty-three volumes.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Not only were the words his own, but he personally directed the manufacture of the paper that went into each volume.<ref>Ibid.</ref>  Realizing the deficiencies in existing abridgements, he decided to complete the rest of the alphabet after finishing "F" through "Z."<ref>Ibid.</ref> Unsurprisingly, his independence angered established publishers and booksellers alike.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
'''Author:''' Charles Viner, (bap. 1678, d. 1756)
 
  
'''Title:''' A General Abridgment of Law and Equity: Alphabetically Digested under Proper Titles with Notes and References to the Whole
+
The work was monumental, but a bit disorganized.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Completed in 1753, its twenty-three volumes contained a nearly complete composition of the legal materials available at the time.<ref>Ibid.</ref> But, with each volume containing approximately 550 pages, the material could be difficult to find.<ref>Ibid.</ref> It was not until 1758 that Robert Kelham's index provided the key to finding material quickly and accurately,<ref>Ibid.</ref> the index became so important that the second edition of Viner's ''Abridgment'' included it as a twenty-fourth volume.
  
'''Publication Info:''' Aldershot: Printed for the Author, by Agreement with the Law-Patentees, 1741-1753.  
+
Viner's final legacy, aside from his comprehensive work, came from his generosity to the University of Oxford.<ref>David Ibbetson, "Viner, Charles."</ref> Upon his death in 1756 he donated almost his entire estate to support the study of the common law.<ref>Ibid.</ref> It was his intention that others build upon the subject of his life’s work.<ref>Ibid.</ref> The first to hold the endowed Vinerian professorship was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Blackstone Sir William Blackstone].<ref>Ibid.</ref>
  
'''Edition:'''
+
Viner's ''Abridgment'' is considered the most expansive common law work created by a single person.<ref>J. G. Marvin, ''Legal Bibliography or a Thesaurus of American, English, Irish, and Scotch Law Books'' (Philadelphia: T. & J. W. Johnson, Law Booksellers, 1847) 711.</ref> Treatment of his work has varied in the 250 years since its creation. According to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Story Chief Justice Story], "[i]t is a cumbersome compilation, by no means accurate or complete in its citations, and difficult to use."<ref>Ibid.</ref> Others are more favorable: "When a question of Evidence. . . arises, fail not to search the. . . last edition of Viner's Abridgment"<ref>Ibid., 712</ref> Regardless of these opinions, it was an influential work cited by courts long after the author’s death.<ref>Percy H. Winfield, ''The Chief Sources of English Legal History'', 245.</ref>
  
 +
[[File:VinersAbridgmentV5inscription.jpg|left|thumb|500px|<center>Inscription, front flyleaf, volume five.</center>]]
 
==Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library==
 
==Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library==
+
Wythe definitely owned the first (1741-1753) edition of Viner's ''Abridgment''&mdash;a copy at the Library of Congress includes [[George Wythe's bookplate|his bookplate]] in each volume.<ref>E. Millicent Sowerby, ''Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson'', (Washington, D.C.: The Library of Congress, 1952-1959), 2:222 [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015033648109;view=1up;seq=236 [no.1791]].</ref> It is also listed in the [[Jefferson Inventory]] of [[Wythe's Library]] as "Viner’s abr. F. to Y. inclus. 10.v. fol." under "[Commo]n law" in the section of books kept by [[Thomas Jefferson]]. Two of the [[George Wythe Collection|Wythe Collection]] sources (Brown's Bibliography<ref>Bennie Brown, "The Library of George Wythe of Williamsburg and Richmond," (unpublished manuscript, May, 2012) Microsoft Word file. Earlier edition available at: https://digitalarchive.wm.edu/handle/10288/13433.</ref> and [http://www.librarything.com/profile/GeorgeWythe George Wythe's Library]<ref>''LibraryThing'', s.v. "[http://www.librarything.com/profile/GeorgeWythe Member: George Wythe]," accessed on June 28, 2013.</ref> on LibraryThing) include the first edition "Viner's Abridgment." The Wolf Law Library moved a copy of the same edition from another rare book collection to the [[George Wythe Collection]].
 +
 
 +
==Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy==
 +
Rebound in period style with red title labels and black volume labels. Most volumes include a previous owner's signature on the front flyleaf and title page. Most are also stamped "Camden Co. Bar Assn." on the title page. Purchased through the generosity of Daniel W. Baran and Lena Stratton Baran, Class of 1936. Set includes Robert Kelham's ''[https://catalog.libraries.wm.edu:443/01COWM_WM:EVERYTHING:01COWM_WM_ALMA21571348070003196 An Alphabetical Index to All the Abridgments of Law and Equity: and to Several Books of the Crown law, Conveyancing, and Practice, with Their Divisions and Subdivisions; Chiefly Calculated to Facilitate the References to the General Abridgment of Law and Equity, by Charles Viner, Esq]'' (London, In the Savoy: Printed by Henry Lintot ... for the author, and sold by J. Worrall, 1758).
 +
 
 +
Images of the library's copy of this book are [https://www.flickr.com/photos/wolflawlibrary/albums/72157657639682578 available on Flickr.] View the record for this book in [https://catalog.libraries.wm.edu:443/01COWM_WM:01COWM_WM_ALMA:01COWM_WM_ALMA21555711030003196 William & Mary's online catalog.]
 +
 
 +
==See also==
 +
*[[George Wythe Room]]
 +
*[[Jefferson Inventory]]
 +
*[[Wythe's Library]]
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
 
 +
==External Links==
 +
Read volume eleven of this book in [http://books.google.com/books?id=mBc2AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover Google Books.]
 +
 
 +
__NOTOC__
 
[[Category:Abridgments]]
 
[[Category:Abridgments]]
 
[[Category:Case Reports]]
 
[[Category:Case Reports]]
 +
[[Category:Charles Viner]]
 
[[Category:George Wythe Collection at William & Mary's Wolf Law Library]]
 
[[Category:George Wythe Collection at William & Mary's Wolf Law Library]]
 +
[[Category:Jefferson's Books]]
 +
[[Category:Known Surviving Wythe Volumes]]
 
[[Category:Titles in Wythe's Library]]
 
[[Category:Titles in Wythe's Library]]
  
 
+
[[Category: Aldershot]]
==Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy==
+
[[Category:English]]
 
+
[[Category:Folios]]
View this book in [https://catalog.swem.wm.edu/law/Record/557323 William & Mary's online catalog.]
 
==External Links==
 
 
 
[http://books.google.com/books?id=mBc2AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=A+General+Abridgment+of+Law+and+Equity&hl=en&sa=X&ei=hK7eUdW2F62t4AP7v4CIBw&ved=0CEUQ6AEwAw Google Books]
 
 
===References===
 
<references/>
 

Revision as of 13:37, 14 September 2020

by Charles Viner

Viner's Abridgment
VinersAbridgement1741v3.jpg

Title page from A General Abridgment of Law and Equity, volume three, George Wythe Collection, Wolf Law Library, College of William & Mary.

Author Charles Viner
Editor {{{editor}}}
Translator {{{trans}}}
Published Aldershot: For the Author, by Agreement with the Law-Patentees
Date 1741-1753
Edition First
Language English
Volumes 23 volume set
Pages {{{pages}}}
Desc. Folio (34 cm.)
Location Shelf J-5
  Shelf K-5

Charles Viner (bap. 1678, d. 1756) studied at Hart Hall, Oxford, but never completed his studies.[1] He gained admission to the Middle Temple in 1700.[2] Although never called to bar, Viner kept chambers at the King's Bench Walk, Temple where he gave occasional legal advice.[3] In his free time he enjoyed researching the literature of the law, and his Abridgment began as more of a hobby than a source of income. Viner based his work on Rolle's Abridgment, but thought of it as more of a supplement to the uncompleted D'Anvers's Abridgement.[4] Thus, he started his work where D'Anvers left off: at the letter "F."[5]

Viner's work took over half a century, resulting in twenty-three volumes.[6] Not only were the words his own, but he personally directed the manufacture of the paper that went into each volume.[7] Realizing the deficiencies in existing abridgements, he decided to complete the rest of the alphabet after finishing "F" through "Z."[8] Unsurprisingly, his independence angered established publishers and booksellers alike.[9]

The work was monumental, but a bit disorganized.[10] Completed in 1753, its twenty-three volumes contained a nearly complete composition of the legal materials available at the time.[11] But, with each volume containing approximately 550 pages, the material could be difficult to find.[12] It was not until 1758 that Robert Kelham's index provided the key to finding material quickly and accurately,[13] the index became so important that the second edition of Viner's Abridgment included it as a twenty-fourth volume.

Viner's final legacy, aside from his comprehensive work, came from his generosity to the University of Oxford.[14] Upon his death in 1756 he donated almost his entire estate to support the study of the common law.[15] It was his intention that others build upon the subject of his life’s work.[16] The first to hold the endowed Vinerian professorship was Sir William Blackstone.[17]

Viner's Abridgment is considered the most expansive common law work created by a single person.[18] Treatment of his work has varied in the 250 years since its creation. According to Chief Justice Story, "[i]t is a cumbersome compilation, by no means accurate or complete in its citations, and difficult to use."[19] Others are more favorable: "When a question of Evidence. . . arises, fail not to search the. . . last edition of Viner's Abridgment"[20] Regardless of these opinions, it was an influential work cited by courts long after the author’s death.[21]

Inscription, front flyleaf, volume five.

Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library

Wythe definitely owned the first (1741-1753) edition of Viner's Abridgment—a copy at the Library of Congress includes his bookplate in each volume.[22] It is also listed in the Jefferson Inventory of Wythe's Library as "Viner’s abr. F. to Y. inclus. 10.v. fol." under "[Commo]n law" in the section of books kept by Thomas Jefferson. Two of the Wythe Collection sources (Brown's Bibliography[23] and George Wythe's Library[24] on LibraryThing) include the first edition "Viner's Abridgment." The Wolf Law Library moved a copy of the same edition from another rare book collection to the George Wythe Collection.

Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy

Rebound in period style with red title labels and black volume labels. Most volumes include a previous owner's signature on the front flyleaf and title page. Most are also stamped "Camden Co. Bar Assn." on the title page. Purchased through the generosity of Daniel W. Baran and Lena Stratton Baran, Class of 1936. Set includes Robert Kelham's An Alphabetical Index to All the Abridgments of Law and Equity: and to Several Books of the Crown law, Conveyancing, and Practice, with Their Divisions and Subdivisions; Chiefly Calculated to Facilitate the References to the General Abridgment of Law and Equity, by Charles Viner, Esq (London, In the Savoy: Printed by Henry Lintot ... for the author, and sold by J. Worrall, 1758).

Images of the library's copy of this book are available on Flickr. View the record for this book in William & Mary's online catalog.

See also

References

  1. David Ibbetson, "Viner, Charles (bap. 1678, d. 1756)" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, accessed November 21, 2013.
  2. Ibid.
  3. Ibid.
  4. Percy H. Winfield, The Chief Sources of English Legal History (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1925), 244.
  5. Ibid.
  6. Ibid.
  7. Ibid.
  8. Ibid.
  9. Ibid.
  10. Ibid.
  11. Ibid.
  12. Ibid.
  13. Ibid.
  14. David Ibbetson, "Viner, Charles."
  15. Ibid.
  16. Ibid.
  17. Ibid.
  18. J. G. Marvin, Legal Bibliography or a Thesaurus of American, English, Irish, and Scotch Law Books (Philadelphia: T. & J. W. Johnson, Law Booksellers, 1847) 711.
  19. Ibid.
  20. Ibid., 712
  21. Percy H. Winfield, The Chief Sources of English Legal History, 245.
  22. E. Millicent Sowerby, Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson, (Washington, D.C.: The Library of Congress, 1952-1959), 2:222 [no.1791].
  23. Bennie Brown, "The Library of George Wythe of Williamsburg and Richmond," (unpublished manuscript, May, 2012) Microsoft Word file. Earlier edition available at: https://digitalarchive.wm.edu/handle/10288/13433.
  24. LibraryThing, s.v. "Member: George Wythe," accessed on June 28, 2013.

External Links

Read volume eleven of this book in Google Books.