The Dedication of Books to Patron and Friend (Barnes & Noble Digital Library): A Chapter in Literary History

This 1887 volume traces the history of book dedications, beginning with the use of dedications to express love, then to the mercenary practice of selling dedications to patrons, and concluding with a more neutral, balanced sort of dedication. Wheatley confines his selection to English books, concentrating on Shakespeare, Dryden, and Dr. Johnson.