Memoirs of the Court of England: During the Reigns of William and Mary, Queen Anne, and the First and Second Georges, in Four Volumes

364; 349; 391; 405 pp. Four volume set. Navy boards with gilt titles and decor on front board and spine, top edge gilt, edges deckled. Illustrated with black-and-white plates. A history of England with biographies on William, Mary, Queen Anne, George the First and George the Second. John Heneage Jesse (1809 - 7 July 1874), English historian, son of Edward Jesse, was educated at Eton and became a clerk in the secretary's department of the Admiralty. His poem on Mary, Queen of Scots was published about 1831, and was followed by a collection of poems entitled Tales of the Dead. He also wrote a drama, Richard III, and a fragmentary poem entitled London. None of these ventures achieved any success, but his numerous historical works are written with vivacity and interest, and, in their own style, are an important contribution to the history of England.