Sold – An Important Colonial Work From the Library of Signer of the Declaration of Independence Benjamin Harrison, Printed by Benjamin Franklin
It was passed down through the generations from Harrison to son William Henry Harrison and to great grandson President Benjamin Harrison. We acquired it directly from the descendants.
Samuel Johnson was an American philosopher in the colonies, the first to receive attention in England. In 1731, Johnson published Elementa Philosophica and 1746, he published his great Ethica. In 1750, he approached Benjamin Franklin about publishing both, not in England as was common then, but here in the United States. Franklin...
Samuel Johnson was an American philosopher in the colonies, the first to receive attention in England. In 1731, Johnson published Elementa Philosophica and 1746, he published his great Ethica. In 1750, he approached Benjamin Franklin about publishing both, not in England as was common then, but here in the United States. Franklin liked the idea and printed the book on his printing press at his "new printing office" at 3rd and Market Streets in Philadelphia in 1752. Two years later, Johnson became the first head of what is today Columbia University, then King's college. Johnson’s work is considered the first textbook in moral philosophy written in the Colonies. Only 500 were printed. Johnson's son, William Samuel Johnson, was and a member of the Revolutionary War generation and a founding father.
Benjamin Harrison was a signer of the Declaration of Independence from Virginia. His son was William Henry Harrison and his great grandson was President Benjamin Harrison. Books from the libraries of Presidents are particularly desirable. Even more uncommon, however, are books from the libraries of Signers of the Declaration of Independence.
[FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN, printer]. JOHNSON, SAMUEL. Elementa Philosophica: Containing chiefly, Noetica, Or Things relating to the Mind or Understanding: and Ethica, Or Things relating to the Moral Behavior. Philadelphia: Printed by B. Franklin, and D. Hall, 1752. Two parts in one volume, 8vo. Inscribed on the first page, secretarially, in latin, "From the library of Benjamin Harrison, of William and Mary College, April 16, 1768." The copy of Benjamin Harrison V.
This book's journey does not end here. It was passed down from Signer Benjamin Harrison; from him to son William Henry Harrison; from him to grandson Congressman John Scott Harrison; from him to President Benjamin Harrison; from him to his living descendants; and was acquired therefrom by The Raab Collection. This book belonged, therefore, to a Signer of the Declaration of Independence and two Presidents.
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