The Novels of Maria Edgeworth, in Twelve Volumes. London: J. M. Dent & Co. 1893. Publisher’s Original green cloth boards with shamrock motif, title to each embossed within a harp to upper covers, title lettered in gilt to spines. Engraved frontispieces and vignette title pages. A nice bright set.

Maria Edgeworth was one of the most successful Anglo-Irish authors of her generation. She published a huge number of books, including novels, stories for children and adults, and a manual on Practical Education.

Her descriptions of Irish character had encouraged Walter Scott to make a similar experiment upon Scottish character in the Waverly novels.

‘She plays for Ireland the role Jane Austen filled for England. Perhaps the first sympathetic interpreter of national characteristics, her contribution to the Celtic revival is of paramount importance” (Kunitz, British Authors of the 19th Century)