A beautiful early edition of the life of Hugh Miller [1802-1856]. A noted early 19th century evangelical and geologist, he began his adult life as a stone mason, but the questions the rock ignited led him to a life of study. He was influential in Scottish evangelical circles, editing The Witness magazine with J. A. Wylie, and published The Old Red Sandstone, Footprints of the Creator, and Testimony of the Rocks in support of Christian approaches to science.

Ever fearless of information, he adopted an old earth position [with the days of creation representing geological ages], believed in a localized middle eastern flood, and in some limited connection between species, etc., None of which, by the way, was considered controversial among his peers. Interestingly, he believed that species changed over time, but that today's species were not necessarily derivations of some shared species in the past. It seems a fine distinction to us. Regardless, this set him at odds with Darwinian evolutionists of the era. 

His life was cut short, many believe, because of a brain tumor. The last few months of his life, he complained of horrific lucid dreams, of shocks of electricity going through his body, and of a general unworkability in his mind. Some believe he would engage the dreams and was afraid he would end up killing his family. Late one night, after reading poetry to the children and seeing his wife off to bed, he went downstairs and through a muffled pillow shot himself through the heart. He left a note asking his wife's forgiveness and understanding and begging God's mercy. 

Brown, Thomas N. Labour & Triumph. The Life and Times of Hugh Miller. London and Glasgow. Richard Griffin and Company. 1858. 315 + iv.

Original very attractive calf with raised bands, tooled compartments and ridges, and contrasting morocco label, bound by Thomas Page of Brighton. Bookplate of Holcombe Ingleby on pastedown and inscribed to H. Ingleby by G Ewbanks on the ffep. Some light rubbing, now consolidated. Very attractive.