Seventeenth century prose 1620-1700 by Peter Ure [rare books]

Book Summary
Edited by Peter Ure and first published in 1956 as Volume2 of the Pelican Book of English Prose, this anthology gathers influential English prose writings from roughly the middle to late 17th century (16201700). The 284page collection, prefaced by an introductory survey and equipped with an index and bibliography, showcases a wide range of stylesfrom the ornate, introspective meditations of Sir Thomas Browne (Religio Medici, Hydriotaphia) to the fiery sermons and theological essays of Jeremy Taylor, and the historical narratives of Thomas Fuller. These pieces reflect the era’s intellectual diversity, including metaphysical inquiry, religious instruction, medical skepticism, and civilwar commentary, all marked by richly crafted, often Latinate prose. Annotated context and textual extracts help the reader appreciate how prose evolved amid political upheaval, religious conflict, and the early stirrings of scientific thought.

About the Editor:
Peter Ure was a British literary scholar and editor active in the mid20thcentury, best known for his critical editorial work on English literatureespecially Shakespeare and Renaissance dramaas seen in titles such as Shakespeare: Julius Caesar and Elizabethan and Jacobean Drama. Though the SeventeenthCentury Prose anthology is one of his less-discussed works today, it stands as a thoughtful synthesis of major prose voices of the 17thcentury. Ures selections and commentary draw readers into the literary and intellectual currents of the period, showcasing both canonical figures and the shifting styles that reflect religious strife, political change, and the rise of individualistic expression.