Poems

York: A Ward, 1774. Leather. Very Good. 8" by 5". None. A collection of William Mason's poetry. Leatherbound volume with gilt title to the spine. William Mason (1724 – 1797) was an English poet, editor and gardener. He was born in Hull and studied at St John's College, Cambridge. He was ordained in 1754 and held a number of posts in the church. In 1747, his poem "Musaeus, a Monody on the Death of Mr. Pope" was published to acclaim and quickly went through several editions. Among his other works are the historical tragedies Elfrida (1752) and Caractacus (1759). He published the Poems of Mr Gray, a friend who was a great influence on his own work, in 1775. In 1785 he was William Pitt the Younger's choice to succeed William Whitehead as Poet Laureate but refused the honour. In a full calf binding. There is some wear to the extremities including some small marks to the boards and heavy rubbing to the spine. The binding is tight and firm with both covers and all pages securely attached although the hinges are strained and the front board is holding by the cords only. Internally the pages are generally clean and bright with the occasional handling mark and isolated spot. There is a bookplate to the front pastedown. Very Good