Evelina, or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World

1784

de Beer Eb 1784 B

London: Printed for T. and W. Lowndes

In 1958, Esmond de Beer purchased a large collection of 18th century verse from Iolo Williams and gave it to Special Collections. This helped forge a strong base for teaching and research in 18th century literature in the English Department. Eighteenth century prose has also been sort after, particularly by women writers such as Fanny Burney. Although not the first edition of 1778, this anonymous ‘new edition’ of Fanny Burney’s Evelina (1784) was a significant purchase. Evelina was Burney’s first novel, for which she received 20 guineas from Lowndes the publisher. It was a critical success when it first appeared.