A critical edition of the poetical works of William Falconer

Jones, William Richard (1977) A critical edition of the poetical works of William Falconer. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

This edition is the first to collate Falconer's three texts of The Shipwreck. The copy-text is that of the third edition (1769), which appears in parallel with the first published text (1762). Both these texts (including the original engravings) are reproduced in facsimile, though some emen2ations have been made to the copy-text. The text of the second edition (1764) can be reconstructed from the textual apparatus. Minor poems published as pamphlets (including the variant state of The Dens ogue published as the 'second edition') are reproduced as facsimiles. other minor poems appear in typescript_ Copy-texts of the minor poems are those of the first (and ui ' the exception of The Demagogue, only) printing in the aut}:or's lifctir:.e.The Introduction includes sections on Falconer's life and reputation,the con_nosition and publication of The Shipwreck, its didacticism, epical features and nautical terminology. Each of the minor poems has a separate introduction. The bibliographical section includes: (i) detailed descriptions of the authoritative editions of The Shipwreck and of the minor poems; (ii) a checklist of posthumous editions of The Shipwreck,the Collected :Trks, and the Dictionary of the marine; (iii) studies of Falconer in books and articles A full Commentary for The Shipwreck and each of the minor poems is provided, to explain to the modern reader the technicalities of the sailing terms and manoeuvres, contemporary and classical allusions, and changes in he meaning of words since Falconer's time. Verbal echoes from previous literary works are quoted, to indicate the writers by whom Falconer was influenced. The Appendices include a discussion of falsely ascribed poems; a short account of Falconer as lexicographer, including facsimiles of his Proposals for the Dictionary, and of the title page of the Dictionary of Arts and Sciences; the texts of the advertisements and reviews of The Shipwreck and the other poems, and of poetical tributes to Falconer; facsimiles of some MS letters.

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