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.

a unique and valuable contribution to scholarship ... future scholars will benefit immensely from this exceptionally valuable contribution to legal history.

• BOOK THE SECOND: OF THE RIGHTS OF THINGS

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.

a unique and valuable contribution to scholarship ... future scholars will benefit immensely from this exceptionally valuable contribution to legal history.

• BOOK THE SECOND: OF THE RIGHTS OF THINGS

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.

a unique and valuable contribution to scholarship ... future scholars will benefit immensely from this exceptionally valuable contribution to legal history.

• BOOK THE SECOND: OF THE RIGHTS OF THINGS