The First Great Autobiography

Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo (354-430 AD)

S. Augustine's Confessions: with the Continuation of his Life to the end thereof, extracted out of Possidius, and the Father's own unquestioned Works.

N.p. (Oxford?): Printed in the year 1679

$3,500

Octavo: 18.6 x 12.1 cm. A2, B-Z8, Aa-Kk8, Ll6 (with blanks Dd8 and Ll6)

FIRST COMPLETE EDITION of this translation; the first part was published in 1660 under the title "The Life of St. Augustine." This translation is by Abraham Woodhead, an Oxford-educated Roman Catholic controversialist who died in 1678. Bound in contemporary speckled calf, the upper joint cracked and repaired. Internally, this copy is in excellent condition with broad margins and deckled edges. With a 17th c. bookseller code on the title page.

"The 'Confessions' is the first great autobiography in which personal confession and revelations are linked with the spirit of Christian piety and devotion. It was written soon after Augustine became Bishop of Hippo in 397, and none of his other writings, apart from 'The City of God', has been more universally read or admired. Its strength of though and confession of weakness have been a constant support to Christians ever since." (Printing and the Mind of Man)

Wing A4207; Cf. PMM #7