PLATO (c.428-347). Dialogues of Plato. Translated by Floyer Sydenham (1710-1787). London: for W. Sandby, 1767-[1779].

Sydenham's translations of Plato's dialogues, many appearing here for the first time in English. These translations were published in parts over the course of several decades, with extant sets often made up of different arrangements and issues of the individual works, which also include an introduction as well as a dissertation on Heraclitus. Sydenham's work was not appreciated in his lifetime and he died in debtor's prison before completing this project. The English Neoplatonist Thomas Taylor would later take up his mantle, completing the first complete translation of the works of Plato into English. Taylor was sympathetic to Sydenham, writing about him in a panegyric:

While Sydenham's worth in shameful silence lies,
Who liv'd unnotic'd and neglected dies;
My muse indignant wakes her dormant fire,
And, rous'd by Friendship, boldly strikes the lyre

The present set contains all eleven parts, although without all the individual dated titles. Part one is signed on the dedication page by Sydenham as usual, and includes a sheet laid in with manuscript instructions to the binder. ESTC T132440.

Eleven parts in three volumes, quarto (286 x 227mm). Dated title pages in vols 1 and 2, each of 11 parts with undated flytitle and dedication leaf, Lesser Hippias and Dissertation both with additional dated part title, ad leaves at beginning of vol. 1 and after The Banquet, as well "proposal" leaf, errata slip in vol. 3 (a few poorly inked lines written over nearly in manuscript). Folding diagram in Philebilus, engraved plate in Meno. Contemporary calf gilt (joints starting but sturdy). Provenance: Thomas Wakeham (armorial bookplates and signature on title) – Hiram Scofield, 1830-1906, Union Army officer and laywer (library book label, no. 13570).