Memoirs of John Evelyn, Esq. F.R.S. ..

London: Henry Colburn, 1827. THIRD EDITION. Frontispiece in each volume plus 5 folding plates and a folding genealogical table. Contemporary half calf, spines gilt with raised bands and labels, top fore-edge gilt, marbled endpapers; interiors in excellent condition with only some minor foxing on title pages and frontispieces. From the library of Captain Frederick Aarons (1888–1916?), an Australian bombardier who served in World War I with his decorative bookplate in each volume. Third edition. The first three volumes includes Evelyn’s diary from 1620 through just before his death in 1706. The other two volumes include his epistolary correspondence and his private correspondence between King Charles I and Sir Edward Nicholas, the secretary of state, during the English Civil War. In addition to the text, there are numerous beautifully engraved plates. Evelyn’s meticulously kept diary and correspondence form an invaluable source about seventeenth century England. He lived through one of the most tumultuous times in English history, and his writings include observations about the cultural, political, and religious life during the years leading up to the English Civil War, the years of the Civil War, the Restoration, and the Glorious Revolution.

Evelyn (1620–1706) was an English author, diarist, and horticulturist. He worked as a public servant throughout his life, and wrote about thirty books about forestry, religion, and fine arts.