[ Plato ] TAYLOR, Thomas translates Plato. Introduction by Burton Feldman.

The Works of Plato [ Original title: The works of Plato, viz. His fifty-five dialogues, and twelve epistles, translated from the Greek ; nine of the dialogues by the late Floyer Sydenham, and the remainder by Thomas Taylor: with occasional annotations on the nine dialogues translated by Sydenham, and copious notes, by the latter translator ; in which is given the substance of nearly all the existing Greek ms. commentaries on the philosophy of Plato, and a considerable portion of such as are already published. In five volumes. Vol. I [ - 5]. (5 Volume Set).

New York: Garland Publishing Ltd., 1974. First Edition Thus. Hardcovers 5 Volumes. Quartos. (10 1/4 x 7 1/4 inches) Volume I, viii, (xii), (cxxiii), 544 pp, Volume II, (viii) 658 pp, (ii), Vol III, (x), 600 pp, . Vol IV, (viii), 614 pp, Vol V, (viii), 720 pp (ii). Original red cloth with gilt titling to spine. An attractive, well produced facsimile of the first complete edition in English of the works of Plato (1804) with a new Introduction by Burton Feldman. The translator, Thomas Taylor (1758 - 1835), was a leading exponent of Neo-Platonic thought, and was largely responsible for it's rediscovery in English-speaking mystical circles by his translations of Iamblichus, Proclus, Porphyry and other Neoplatonists and Pythagoreans. A former bank-clerk who devoted himself to the classics, Taylor was said to be such a devotee of Hellenic paganism that he and his wife spoke only to one another in classical Greek. It was Taylor's translations that introduced the Romantic poets to Platonism, and they likely had a strong influence on the outlook and mythology of William Blake. In the US his work was enthusiastically embraced by Emerson and a number of his followers, and in the UK was rediscovered by G. R. S. Mead, and others involved in other turn of the century occult and mystical movements. “It was through Taylor's translations that the Romantic poets had access to Platonism: they are probably one of the sources of Blake's mythology, as well as his repudiation of the natural science of Bacon and Newton. there is no doubt that Coleridge's acquaintance with Proclus was assisted by Taylor's translation. ..... R. W. Emerson read Taylor's translations enthusiastically, and Taylor's influence was felt among Emerson's disciples, adepts of ‘transcendental philosophy’ ..... Emily Dickinson, who was a friend of Higginson, therefore probably owed her Platonism ultimately to Thomas Taylor” (DNB). Corners of boards of three volumes bumped, causing a very slight ripple to the extreme to corner of part of the text block of each. A hint of shelfwear and darkening to cloth. Otherwise a tight, clean, VG+ set of what is without doubt one of the scarcest and most nicely-produced of the facsimile reprints of the original edition. (No dust jackets issued) A large, heavy set that will require additional shipping to the amount automatically quoted, the cost varying according to destination. Item #69899
ISBN: 0824035739

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