Oxford's variorum edition of William Blackstone's seminal treatise on the common law of England and Wales offers the definitive account of the Commentaries' development in a modern format. For the first time it is possible to trace the evolution of English law and Blackstone's thought through the eight editions of Blackstone's lifetime, and the authorial corrections of the posthumous ninth edition. Introductions by the general editor and the volume editors set the Commentaries in their historical context, examining Blackstone's distinctive view of the common law, and editorial notes throughout the four volumes assist the modern reader in understanding this key text in the Anglo-American common law tradition. Property law is the subject of Book II, the second and longest volume of Blackstone's Commentaries. His lucid exposition covers feudalism and its history, real estate and the forms of tenure that a land-owner may have, and personal property, including the new kinds of intangible property that were developing in Blackstone's era, such as negotiable instruments and intellectual property.

About the Author
Sir William Blackstone (1723-1780) was a prominent public figure in the eighteenth century. Judge and jurist, barrister and politician, his work has had a profound influence on the Anglo-American legal tradition. The first Vinerian Professor of English Law, Blackstone was a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas at the time of his death. The Commentaries published in eight editions in his lifetime, and a posthumous ninth edition in 1783. Simon Stern teaches law and English at the University of Toronto. His publications include articles and book chapters on various aspects of Anglo-American legal and literary history in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, including intellectual property, obscenity, search and seizure, and criminal law. His current research examines the history and theory of legal fictions.

Reviews
a unique and valuable contribution to scholarship ... future scholars will benefit immensely from this exceptionally valuable contribution to legal history. * Ian Williams, The Journal of Legal History *
Blackstone's Commentaries remain a central source for understanding both historical and modern Anglo-American law - as well as debates in Anglo-American legal philosophy - and Oxford University Press's new edition of the Commentaries offers a valuable new resource for studying them. * Brian Bix, Frederick W. Thomas Professor of Law and Philosophy, Jotwell *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199601004
Author William Blackstone
Format Paperback
Page Count 472
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 245mm * 175mm * 25mm