Rare Book of the Month – April 2006
April is National Poetry Month – the largest literary celebration in the world. To join the observation of this event our featured book of the month is the first edition of John Milton’s Paradise Lost, 1667.
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| Bob Kieft, Librarian of the College admires Haverford’s copy of John Milton’s Paradise Lost, 1667 |
This epic poem is presented in ten books and details the story of the fall of mankind. Adam and Eve are caught between Satan and God as they battle for dominion of the Earth. After the pair have disobeyed God’s words by eating from the Tree of Knowledge Satan is celebrated in Hell. Distraught, Adam and Eve realize that although they must leave Eden they can take revenge on Satan by remaining obedient to God on the other side of Paradise.
Paradise Lost is part of the William Pyle Phillips Collection, a collection of original editions given by Philips to inform students and enrich the intellectual life of Haverford College. This extraordinary book is available for review in the reading room of Special Collections.
Tags: Adam and Eve, Milton, Paradise, Poetry, Satan