A Dissertation upon Rhetoric Translated from the Greek of Aristotle

By Daniel Michael Crimmin, Esq.

London: 1811, JJ Stockdale

“Rhetoric is an art, or faculty, which, upon every subject, considers the capability of persuasion” (25).

First Edition. A Dissertation upon Rhetoric," translated from the Greek of Aristotle by Daniel Michael Crimmin, Esq., was published in London by J.J. Stockdale in 1811. This work is a translation of Aristotle's treatise on rhetoric, a foundational text in the field. It was likely part of a larger effort to make classical Greek texts accessible to an English-speaking audience. 

Translator Daniel Michael Crimmin was a scholar with connections to Trinity College, Dublin, and the Middle Temple. The publisher, J.J. Stockdale, a London-based publisher, was well known for producing scholarly works. 

Aristotle’s Rhetoric was classified with a few other works (notably the Poetics) as encheiridia, handbooks providing foundational treatment of a subject, essentially practical guides rather than abstract treatises. As such, the Rhetoric in particular was widely circulated (albeit in Latin) and extensively cited. Rhetoric was, of course, useful in politics and law, but it became increasingly embraced by theological educators. “Persuasion is by means of the hearers, whenever they are led on into passion by the speech, for we do not render our judgments the same way when grieved as when delighted, or when friendly as when hostile” (Sachs, 2009).

The "Dissertation upon Rhetoric" unravels the basic principles of the art of argumentation. Aristotle's Rhetoric is a cornerstone of Western rhetorical theory, and this translation by Crimmin made The Rhetoric available to a wider audience in the early 19th century. This First Edition rarely appears in commerce or at auction, making it a scarce item. Its absence from recent sales underscores its rarity, often a desirable trait for collectors of classical works and early translations.

Gilded spine with title in contemporary marbled calf. Some scuffing and fraying to front board. Light darkening to first 32 pages. Very scarce penciled underscoring of words in text. Hinges very firm. PO’s small bookplate on front pastedown, imprinted to first blank, and tiny penciled signature. Text generally fresh and clean. An extremely good copy of a scarce text. $500.