John Milton

SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784) 

The lives of the most eminent English poets. With critical observations on their works 

London: Printed by Nichols and Son, 1800 

From the collection of Stanley Marcus. Gift of Linda Marcus, 2003. 

On Paradise Lost: “None ever wished it longer than it is. Its perusal is a duty rather than a pleasure. We read Milton for instruction, retire harassed and overburdened, and look elsewhere for recreation; we desert our master, and seek for companions.” 

JOHN MILTON (1608-1674) 

The poetical works of John Milton, with a memoir, and critical remarks on his genius and writings, by James Montgomery 

New York: Leavitt & Allen, [1859] 

Montgomery (1771-1854) provides a biographical and critical essay, attempting to counter many of Dr. Johnson’s aspersions, concluding “The chief excellences of [Milton’s] poetry is surpassing elevation of thought, sustained by unfailing strength of language; its chief defect is the absence of a charm neither to be named nor defined, which should render the whole as lovely as it is beautiful, and as captivating as it is sublime.” 

JOHN MILTON (1608-1674) 

Paradise lost: a poem in twelve books by John Milton. 

New York: Clark, Austin & Smith, 1855 

A “school edition.” Includes “The life of John Milton” by Elijah Fenton (1683-1730) and “On Paradise lost” by Andrew Marvell (1621-1678).