This first of two volumes contains the letters of Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), supplemented with explanatory notes, and full biographical and bibliographical information. This publication sheds new light on the intellectual life of a major European thinker.

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) is one of the most important figures in the history of European thought. Although interest in his life and work has grown enormously in recent years, this is the first complete edition of his correspondence. The texts of the letters are richly supplemented with explanatory notes and full biographical and bibliographical information. This landmark publication sheds new light in abundance on the intellectual life of a major thinker.

students of Hobbes' work ... have often deplored the absence of a complete collection of his correspondence. In supplying this long felt need with the outstanding success of which this edition give proof, Noel Malcolm has made one of the most important and valuable contributions to Hobbes scholarship this century. / The editorial matter which Malcolm has provided makes this work a pleasure to use... Malcolm has taken great pains to present the letters in accurate transcriptions, and the editorial notes, placed at the end of each letter, incorporate a large amount of necessary and useful information... An especially valuable feature of this edition is the biographical register of Hobbes' correspondents, occupying close to 150 pages, which provides concise and very helpful accounts of both the well-known and litte-known persons with whom he exchanged letters.