William Godwin's Diary

Texts Godwin Read

te0193

Johnson's Prefaces (30  July  1792) Johnson, SamuelThe plays of William Shakespeare: in ten volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added, notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens, with an appendix. 1773
1778 second edition
WG's Diary for this date says: ‘Read Rowe's Life of Shakespear, Pope's & Johnson's Prefaces, Malone's Chronology, &c.' Volume 1 of the 1773 edition of The plays of William Shakespeare includes Pope's preface as well as a general preface (presumably by Samuel Johnson) and ‘Some account of the life, &c. of Mr William Shakespear written by Mr. Rowe.' The second edition ( 1778) also includes Malone's Chronology. WG's sale catalog lists several editions of Shakespeare's plays:
Shakespeare's Plays, reprinted from the original quartos, edited by Steevens, 4 vol. 1766.
Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies, with notes and various readings, edited by Ed. Capell, 10 vol. 1767.
Shakespeare's Plays and Poems, with notes by Malone, 16 vo. Dubl, 1794.
Shakespeare's Plays, with Explanatory Notes, and Index, by Ayscough 1807-1790 [sic].

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