An Essay on the Principle of Population; or, a view of its past and present effects on human happiness; with an inquiry into our prospects respecting the future removal or mitigation of the evils which it might occasion.
London: Printed for J. Johnson in St. Paul's Church-Yard, by T. Bensley, 1807.
Price: $1,500.00
About the item
Fourth edition. 2 vols. 8vo. Contemporary mottled calf, marbled edges. Rebacked in gilt calf, one hinge tender. PMM 251 (first edition); Kress 5219.
Item #314917
Malthus is as controversial as he is influential. "The central idea of the essay ... was a simple one. The population of a community ... increases geometrically, while food supplies increase only arithmetically. If the natural increase in population occurs the food supply becomes insufficient and the size of the population is hecked by 'misery'" (PMM).
