DARWIN, Erasmus. The Temple of Nature or The origin of society: a poem, with philosophical notes.

(London): Printed for J. Johnson, by T. Bensley, 1803.  First edition.  Hardcover. 27.6cm by 29.1cm.  174 and 124 pages (of additional) notes.  Illustrated with four (frontis and three other) plates designed by Henry Fuseli and engraved by Haughton. Darwin’s final major work, published posthumously, stands as a remarkable fusion of Enlightenment philosophy, proto-evolutionary theory, and neoclassical poetic form. Written in heroic couplets, the poem traces the progression of life “from the simplest monad to the highest animal,” prefiguring ideas that would later be echoed in the work of his grandson, Charles Darwin. The extensive philosophical notes offer a wide-ranging commentary on contemporary scientific knowledge, touching on natural history, biology, and astronomy. The illustrations—most notably the frontispiece after Fuseli—are imbued with romantic and allegorical power, lending the work a rich visual and intellectual depth. An important example of early scientific poetry, and a key Enlightenment text at the intersection of literature and natural philosophy.  This a good copy only, new endpapers, frontis and title-page repaired (minor) and re-laid, old repairs to some pages, more modern tape repair to one page, some foxing and browning. Original calf, sympathetically rebacked, retaining original gilt spine label.  Still a presentable copy of this important work that is now gaining in recognition.