The Life and Reign of William the Fourth

London & Paris: Fisher, Son, & Co, 1837. First edition. Leather. Good. 8.5" by 5.5". Various. An illustrated biography about King William IV, documenting his successful reign and personal life, written by George Wright. The first edition of this work. Complete in two volumes. William IV was only on the throne for seven years, but managed to fill his reign with several reforms, including updating the poor law, restricting child labour, and abolishing slavery in almost all the British Empire. This work was published in 1837, the year of his death, the year that his niece, Victoria, succeeded to the throne. Written by George Newenham Wright, an Irish writer and Anglican clergyman. He was also a teacher, teaching classics in Windsor, as well as taking pupils boarding in his house at Frome, before becoming master at Tewkesbury Grammar School. He wrtoe mostly topographical and educational works, such as 'A Guide to the Lakes of Killarney', 'Scenes in North Wales', and 'The Chinese Empire Illustrated'. With a frontispiece, illustrated title page, and twenty-four plates, being an extra illustrated edition. Collated, complete. In the original half calf binding with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, smart. Light discolouration to the leather to the joints, with patches of rubbing to the joints. Further light rubbing to the head and tail of the spine, extremities, and to the paper to the boards. Light marking to the boards. Front hinge of Volume I is strained, whereas the front hinge of Volume II is starting but firm. Front endpaper and frontispiece of Volume I is detached but present. Internally, Volume II is firmly bound, and Volume I is generally firmly bound, with the textblock from the title page to page 16, and 83 to 86 are working loose. Pages are bright with scattered spots, spotting being significantly heavier to the plates. Tidemarks to the bottom and fore edge of the frontispiece to each volume, being heavier to Volume II. Good