An Essay on the Principle of Population

MALTHUS, Thomas Robert (1766–1834). An Essay on the Principle of Population; or, a View of Its Past and Present Effects on Human Happiness . London: T. Bensley for J. Johnson, 1803. Second, “substantially new,” edition of Malthus’ economic treatise exploring the relationship between food supply and population, an inspiration for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution (ONDB); in a contemporary binding. Malthus had proposed in 1798 that population increases in a geometrical ratio, and subsistence only in an arithmetical ratio, arguing that vice and misery were therefore necessary “checks” on the growth of population. However, in this enlarged edition natural controls like poverty and disease are no longer treated as insuperable obstacles to social improvement. “Charles Darwin declared in his Life that Malthus’ Essay helped to point him towards his own theory of evolution” (Oxford Companion to English Literature). Cf. PMM 251. Quarto (255 × 195mm). C4 cancelled and signed C3 (few light stains, occasional spotting). Contemporary reversed calf, covers and spine tooled in blind (worn, corners bumped, edges chipped exposing boards, few stains and scratches).

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