[Law] Jean Jacques Burlamaqui. 2 works: (1) Principes du droit naturel par J.J. Burlamaqui

conseiller d'etat, & ci-devant professeur en droit naturel & civil à Geneve. Geneva, Barrillot & Fils, 1747, XXIV,352 p., finely bound in contemp. mottled calf, richly gilt and ribbed spine w. mor. letterpiece, 4to.

With: (2) Principes du droit politique. N.pl. (Geneva), n. publ., 1751, (2),IX-XI,380 p., bound unif. with the preceding, 4to (some wormholes in covers and top of spine). Palgrave I, 195; Hyamsom p. 93. Both works first editions. At the age of 25 Jean Jacques Burlamaqui (1694-1748) was designated honorary professor of ethics and law at the university of Geneva. His fundamental principle may be described as rational utilitarianism. These successful and very influential works on the principles of natural and political law were translated into six languages, incl. German, Italian, Spanish and English, and were standard juridical works for decades, appearing in numerous editions. His vision of constitutionalism had a major influence on the American Founding Fathers. Cf. Ray Forrest Harvey, Jean Jacques Burlamaqui: a liberal tradition in American constitutionalism (1937). (total 2)