Notes on Footnotes

Notes on Footnotes, Volume 1, by Melvyn New, offers a profound examination of the art of annotating eighteenth-century literature. This scholarly collection features fourteen essays written by prominent editors responsible for major works, including the Yale Edition of the Works of Samuel Johnson and the Florida Edition of the Works of Laurence Sterne. The text explores the theoretical frameworks of critical editing alongside the practical challenges faced during the annotation process. Contributors address vital questions regarding how much information a text requires and how to balance annotation with interpretation.

As a significant work in literary criticism and editing, Notes on Footnotes provides deep insights into the precision required for historical text production. This volume serves as a resource for scholars of English and European literature, book historians, and specialists in language arts and disciplines. By analyzing real-world editorial decisions, the authors provide a technical look at the complexities of eighteenth-century studies and the meticulous work of scholarly proofreading.