1840 Publisher Bindings, 10 Vols. TALES AND NOVELS BY MARIA EDGEWORTH.

Tales and Novels by Maria Edgeworth, Containing Castle Rackrent; An Essay on Irish Bulls; An Essay on the Noble Science of Self Justification; and Moral Tales. New-York: Published by Harper & Brothers, No. 82 Cliff-Street. 1840.

Tales and Novels by Maria Edgeworth, a ten-volume set containing various works including Castle Rackrent, essays on Irish Bulls and Self Justification, and Moral Tales, published by Harper & Brothers in New York, 1840.

Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849) was a pioneering Anglo-Irish author whose diverse body of work includes novels, children's literature, and essays that often addressed social issues and Anglo-Irish relations. Born in England but raised primarily in Ireland, Edgeworth's writing was deeply influenced by her experiences on her family's estate in County Longford. Her novel "Castle Rackrent" (1800) is considered one of the first historical novels and a significant work in the development of realism in fiction. Edgeworth's writing often explored themes of education, moral development, and the complexities of Irish society under British rule. Her work gained international recognition, influencing contemporaries such as Sir Walter Scott and Jane Austen, and maintaining popularity well into the 19th century, as evidenced by the publication of this comprehensive ten-volume set in America in 1840. Edgeworth's enduring legacy lies in her innovative narrative techniques, her nuanced portrayal of Irish life, and her contributions to children's literature and educational theory.