The Works of Samuel Johnson, Vol 17

The first scholarly edition of Samuel Johnsons translation of Jean-Pierre de Crousazs commentary on An Essay on Man In 1736, Jean-Pierre de Crousaz published his Commentaire sur la traduction en vers de M. Abb Du Resnel, de lEssai de M. Pope sur lhomme, a critique of Alexander Popes Essay on Man. In 1739, Samuel Johnson published his translation of the critique. This volume, the first scholarly edition of Johnsons translation, includes historical annotations and notes on Johnsons method of translation. Also included are several lengthy footnotes that Johnson added to his translation, which provide his thoughts on evilparticularly the ruling passion and the necessity of free will. Many of the ideas first expressed here would occupy Johnson for the remainder of his life.