DAVIS, Thomas. Ed by. The Speeches of the Right Honourable John Philpot Curran. Complete and correct edition. Edited, With Memoir and Historical Notices, by Thomas Davis, Esq., M.R.I.A., Barrister-at-Law (IN FINE BELLEW BINDING)

Dublin: James Duffy, Wellington Quay, 1862. Crown octavo. Third edition. pp. xxxiv, [1], 38-471, [1]. Bound by George Bellew in contemporary full red morocco with his rectangular label [G. Bellew / Book-Binder / Stationer & Lithographer / 79 Grafton St. / Dublin] on lower pastedown. Covers framed by a gilt floral and blind roll; flat spine decorated in gilt with clusters of shamrocks, title in gilt direct; green endpapers. Carlow College badge in gilt on both covers. Trace of old ink stain on upper cover. Prize label not present. All edges gilt. A near fine copy.
John Philpot Curran (1750-1817), was a prominent lawyer and anti-Unionist. He defended some of the leading United Irishmen including Theobald Wolfe Tone, Napper Tandy, the Sheares Brothers, Hamilton Rowan, William Drennan and Oliver Bond. His daughter, Sarah Curran, was the fiancée of Robert Emmet whose defence Curran refused. He was appointed Master of the Rolls in 1807 and held this post until 1814. Byron wrote of him: “The riches of his Irish imagination were exhaustless. I have heard that man speak more poetry than I have ever seen written”.

[L4 7B]