The Rights of War and Peace

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The Rights of War and Peace, in Three Books: Wherein are Explained, the Law of Nature and Nations, and the Principal Points Relating to Government

by Hugo Grotius

The Rights of War and Peace
GrotiusRightsOfWarAndPeace1738.jpg

Title page from The Rights of War and Peace, George Wythe Collection, Wolf Law Library, College of William & Mary.

Author Hugo Grotius
Editor {{{editor}}}
Translator Jean Barbeyrac
Published London: Printed for W. Innys and R. Manby, J. and P. Knapton, D. Brown, T. Osborn, and E. Wicksteed
Date 1738
Edition Third English edition
Language English
Volumes {{{set}}} volume set
Pages 817 [i.e. 813, 1]
Desc. Folio (35 cm.)
Location [[Shelf {{{shelf}}}]]
  [[Shelf {{{shelf2}}}]]
Inscription.
Hugo Grotius (1583-1645) is often touted as the Father of International Law. Indeed, he laid many of the foundations upon which the current ideals of international law are based, particularly the concept of natural law.[1] Grotius influenced thinkers like John Locke with his ideas of international law as natural law, or principles derived inherently from the human nature or human reason.[2] Using these theories, he wrote extensively on maritime law and law of wartime.


His three-book set of The Rights of War and Peace was published in 1625 and holds that natural law principles are universally binding on all people. The first book defines war and outlines circumstances in which it is justifiable.[3] The second book classifies just causes for war including self-defense, reparation of injury, and punishment.[4] Finally, the concluding book questions the rules of war and how they are universally binding.[5] Together, his books present a theory of just war, delineating between jus ad bello and jus in bello, or just causes of going to war and justice in war respectively.

Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library

Listed in the Jefferson Inventory of Wythe's Library as Grotius and given by Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore. While the precise title and work are unknown, it is highly likely that Jefferson's notation refers to a copy of The Rights of War and Peace. Brown's Bibliography[6] and George Wythe's Library[7] on LibraryThing both include the 1738 English title based on a copy sold at auction in 1881 which contained George Wythe's bookplate.[8] The Wolf Law Library purchased a copy of the same edition.

Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy

Bound in recent period-style quarter calf over marbled boards with raised bands and a lettering piece on the spine. The endpapers have been renewed. Includes the inscription "Year MDCCX Oxford, VerPlanck Colvin, Albany, N. Y., U. S., Owner, Purchased for V. C. Library." on . Purchased from The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd.

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

References

  1. ↑ Sean Murphy, Principles of International Law, (Minnesota: Thompson West, 2006), chap. 3.
  2. ↑ Jeremy Waldron, God, Locke, and Equality: Christian Foundations in Locke's Political Thought, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001), 189.
  3. ↑ Miller, Jon, "Hugo Grotius", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2011 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.).
  4. ↑ Ibid.
  5. ↑ Ibid.
  6. ↑ 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
  7. ↑ LibraryThing, s. v. "Member: George Wythe", accessed on June 28, 2013.
  8. ↑ Catalogue of the Choice and Extensive Law and Miscellaneous Library of the late Hon. William Green, LL.D., … to be sold by Auction, January 18th, 1881, at Richmond, VA. (Richmond: John E. Laughton, Jr., 1881), 65 "645. Grotius (H.). The Rights of War and Peace, with notes of J. Barbeyrac. Folio. London: 1738. Armorial book plate of George Wythe."
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