Difference between revisions of "Rights of War and Peace"

From Wythepedia: The George Wythe Encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
(Evidence)
(Summary paragraphs by Krishna Patel.)
Line 2: Line 2:
 
===by Hugo Grotius===
 
===by Hugo Grotius===
 
__NOTOC__
 
__NOTOC__
<blockquote>First published in Paris in 1625, ''The Rights of War and Peace'' established the system of modern public international law, based on the concept of ''driot naturel,'' a morality-based law that superseded the personalities of individuals or nations. Grotius describes the situations in which war is a valid tool of law enforcement and outlines the principles of armed combat. Though based on Christian natural law, Grotius advanced the novel argument that his system would still be valid if it lacked a divine basis. <ref> Lowndes, ''Bibliographer's Manual of English Literature'' (rev, ed,) III:950. Marvin, ''Legal Bibliography'' (1847) 353. Sweet & Maxwell, ''A Legal Bibliography of the British Commonwealth 1:595. (56211) </ref></blockquote>
+
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_grotius 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.<ref>Sean Murphy, ''Principles of International Law'', (Minnesota: Thompson West, 2006), chap. 3.</ref> Grotius influenced thinkers like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_locke John Locke] with his ideas of international law as natural law, or principles derived inherently from the human nature or human reason.<ref>Jeremy Waldron, ''God, Locke, and Equality: Christian Foundations in Locke's Political Thought'', (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001), 189.</ref> Using these theories, he wrote extensively on maritime law and law of wartime.<br />
 +
<br />
 +
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.<ref>Miller, Jon, "Hugo Grotius", ''The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' (Fall 2011 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = <http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2011/entries/grotius/>.</ref> The second book classifies just causes for war including self-defense, reparation of injury, and punishment.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Finally, the concluding book questions the rules of war and how they are universally binding.<ref>Ibid.</ref> 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.
  
 
==Bibliographic Information==
 
==Bibliographic Information==

Revision as of 11:31, 6 October 2013

by Hugo Grotius

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.

Bibliographic Information

Author: Hugo Grotius.

Title: 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.

Published: London: Printed for W. Innys and R. Manby, J. and P. Knapton, D. Brown, T. Osborn, and E. Wicksteed, 1738.

Edition: Third English edition; [4], xxxvi, 817 [i.e. 813, 1] pages.

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]

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. 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.), URL = <http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2011/entries/grotius/>.
  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, http://www.librarything.com/profile/GeorgeWythe
  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."