On Liberty de MILL, John Stuart - 1859.

London: John W. Parker, 1859.. First edition. 8vo. 207, (1), (8) pp. Publisher's ribbed brown cloth, the upper part and lower extremity of the spine missing and skilfully restored to style, ownership inscription of William Rendle dated 1864 to the head of the title page with his book label to the front pastedown giving his address as "33 Bridge House Place, Newington Causeway, S.E.", some pencilled marginalia at intervals throughout, the recto of the rear free endpaper more extensively annotated in pencil. Mill's essay on the individual's relation with society and authority and the rules that he thought should govern those interactions. It has gone on to be viewed "as the kernel of his social philosophy" (ODNB) and remains hugely influential to this day. William Rendle (1811-93) was born in Cornwall but was brought to live in south London with his family at the age of 6. He trained at Guy's Hospital and another teaching school close by and went on to practise in this general area of London for much of his long career, including serving as the chief medical officer for the parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark. He was also a keen historian and extensively researched and wrote on the history of the borough.