Difference between revisions of "Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce"

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(Intro by Andrew Steffensen)
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===by Malachy Postlethwayt===
 
===by Malachy Postlethwayt===
 
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<blockquote> In addition to his government work Postlethwayt devoted much of the 1740s and 1750s to the preparation of his major work, The Universal Dictionary, which appeared in instalments between 1751 and 1755 and subsequently as a two-volume work (1757; 4th edn, 1774). This has been described as an amplified and Anglicized version of the Dictionnaire universal de commerce (written largely by Jacques Savary des Brulons), the extent of the departures reflecting Postlethwayt's ‘greater interest in political problems; his more intense economic nationalism; and his exuberant belief in the economic usefulness of experimental philosophy’ (Johnson, 187–8, 402). More specifically, the penultimate sentence of the dictionary's introduction conveyed Postlethwayt's intentions concisely:
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[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malachy_Postlethwayt Malachy Postlethwayt] (1707-1767) was a British economic writer and author of several publications including ''The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce''. Beginning in the 1730’s he was employed by the prime minister, Robert Walpole, as a government publicist.<ref>Peter Groenewegen, [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/22599 "Postlethwayt, Malachy (1707–1767)"], ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2013, accessed 26 Sept 2013. (Subscription required for access.)</ref> He was elected as a fellow to the Society of Antiquaries in March of 1735.<ref>Robert Bennett, "Malachy Postlethwayt 1707-67: Genealogy and Influence of an Early Economist and 'Spin-Doctor'," ''Genealogists’ Magazine'' 1 (2006): 1-8.</ref> In 1743 he began his employment with the Royal Africa Company and was elected a member of the company’s court of assistants in 1745.<ref>Groenewegen, "Postlethwayt, Malachy."</ref> During the 1740’s and early 1750’s, Postlethwayt prepared his most critically acclaimed work, ''The Universal Dictionary'', which was released as two installments between 1751 and 1755.<ref>Bennett, "Malachy Postlethwayt," .</ref><br />
 
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    This work is designed throughout to raise the spirit of universal art and industry in this nation, that the labour and ingenuity of our people, being inferior to those of no other state and empire, the kingdom may not dwindle into poverty and ignominy; and from being the greatest nation in the world, we may not become the least and the most contemptible. (Postlethwayt, l.x)
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''The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce'', as compared to other popular economic writings at the time, illustrated Postlethwayt's ‘greater interest in political problems; his more intense economic nationalism; and his exuberant belief in the economic usefulness of experimental philosophy.<ref>E. A. Johnson, "Postlethwayt, the Publicist," in ''Predecessors of Adam Smith: The Growth of British Economic Thought'' (New York: Prentice Hall, 1937), 402.</ref> ''The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce'' contained many practical articles on inventions and improvements, as well as on commercial practice such as banking, commercial bills, and customs house business.
 
 
It therefore contained many practical articles on inventions and improvements, as well as on commercial practice such as banking, commercial bills, and customs house business, hence catering for the considerable interest in compendia of knowledge of the mid-eighteenth century. This last enthusiasm was also evident in Postlethwayt's proposal for a remodelled Royal Society to enable it to collect information useful to British trade as well as to recommend new manufactures and new avenues of trade for official encouragement and support. <ref> Peter Groenewegen, ‘Postlethwayt, Malachy (1707–1767)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2013 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/22599, accessed 6 June 2013] </ref> </blockquote>
 
  
 
==Bibliographic Information==
 
==Bibliographic Information==
'''Author:''' Malachy Postlethwayt, (1707-1767)
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'''Author:''' Malachy Postlethwayt.
  
'''Title:''' The Universal Dictionary Of Trade And Commerce: With Large Additions And Improvements, Adapting The Same To The Present State Of British Affairs In America, Since The Last Treaty Of Peace Made In The Year 1763. With Great Variety Of New Remarks And Illustrations Incorporated Throughout The Whole Together With Everything Essential That Is Contained In Savary's Dictionary: Also, All The Material Laws Of Trade And Navigation Relating To These Kingdoms, And The Customs And Usages To Which All Traders Are Subject
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'''Title:''' ''The Universal Dictionary Of Trade And Commerce: With Large Additions And Improvements, Adapting The Same To The Present State Of British Affairs In America, Since The Last Treaty Of Peace Made In The Year 1763. With Great Variety Of New Remarks And Illustrations Incorporated Throughout The Whole Together With Everything Essential That Is Contained In Savary's Dictionary: Also, All The Material Laws Of Trade And Navigation Relating To These Kingdoms, And The Customs And Usages To Which All Traders Are Subject''.
  
 
'''Published:''' London : Printed for H. Woodfall, A. Millar, J. and R. Tonson, J. Rivington, J. Hinton, R. Baldwin, L. Hawes and W. Clarke and R. Collins, R. Horsfield, W. Johnston, T. Longman, J. Brotherton, J. Dodsley, T. Payne, J. Robson, T. Lowndes, W. Nicoll, and J. Knox, 1766.  
 
'''Published:''' London : Printed for H. Woodfall, A. Millar, J. and R. Tonson, J. Rivington, J. Hinton, R. Baldwin, L. Hawes and W. Clarke and R. Collins, R. Horsfield, W. Johnston, T. Longman, J. Brotherton, J. Dodsley, T. Payne, J. Robson, T. Lowndes, W. Nicoll, and J. Knox, 1766.  

Revision as of 20:37, 26 September 2013

by Malachy Postlethwayt

Malachy Postlethwayt (1707-1767) was a British economic writer and author of several publications including The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce. Beginning in the 1730’s he was employed by the prime minister, Robert Walpole, as a government publicist.[1] He was elected as a fellow to the Society of Antiquaries in March of 1735.[2] In 1743 he began his employment with the Royal Africa Company and was elected a member of the company’s court of assistants in 1745.[3] During the 1740’s and early 1750’s, Postlethwayt prepared his most critically acclaimed work, The Universal Dictionary, which was released as two installments between 1751 and 1755.[4]

The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce, as compared to other popular economic writings at the time, illustrated Postlethwayt's ‘greater interest in political problems; his more intense economic nationalism; and his exuberant belief in the economic usefulness of experimental philosophy.[5] The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce contained many practical articles on inventions and improvements, as well as on commercial practice such as banking, commercial bills, and customs house business.

Bibliographic Information

Author: Malachy Postlethwayt.

Title: The Universal Dictionary Of Trade And Commerce: With Large Additions And Improvements, Adapting The Same To The Present State Of British Affairs In America, Since The Last Treaty Of Peace Made In The Year 1763. With Great Variety Of New Remarks And Illustrations Incorporated Throughout The Whole Together With Everything Essential That Is Contained In Savary's Dictionary: Also, All The Material Laws Of Trade And Navigation Relating To These Kingdoms, And The Customs And Usages To Which All Traders Are Subject.

Published: London : Printed for H. Woodfall, A. Millar, J. and R. Tonson, J. Rivington, J. Hinton, R. Baldwin, L. Hawes and W. Clarke and R. Collins, R. Horsfield, W. Johnston, T. Longman, J. Brotherton, J. Dodsley, T. Payne, J. Robson, T. Lowndes, W. Nicoll, and J. Knox, 1766.

Edition:

Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library

Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy

Bound in contemporary speckled calf with spines in seven compartments with raised bands. Tooled in gilt on either side of each band. Dark red and dark green morocco lettering-pieces in the second and third compartments, the others with a repeat decoration in gilt with marbled endpapers. Purchased from Donald a. Heald Rare Books.

View this book in William & Mary's online catalog.

References

  1. Peter Groenewegen, "Postlethwayt, Malachy (1707–1767)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2013, accessed 26 Sept 2013. (Subscription required for access.)
  2. Robert Bennett, "Malachy Postlethwayt 1707-67: Genealogy and Influence of an Early Economist and 'Spin-Doctor'," Genealogists’ Magazine 1 (2006): 1-8.
  3. Groenewegen, "Postlethwayt, Malachy."
  4. Bennett, "Malachy Postlethwayt," .
  5. E. A. Johnson, "Postlethwayt, the Publicist," in Predecessors of Adam Smith: The Growth of British Economic Thought (New York: Prentice Hall, 1937), 402.