The Logie Collection's copy of the聽Georgics聽was translated by John Martyn and published in 1746. Rebound by Professor Kidd himself, this is an extremely well-preserved book. This edition of the聽Georgics聽is particularly thorough, with a comprehensive commentary of the original Latin on every page as well as an extensive index.
The commentary gives an explanation of the root meanings of certain words, and the connotations that they hold. It also makes reference to specific lines of poetry, both Latin and Greek, from which Virgil sourced some of his information, indicating their similarities and differences.
John Martyn (1699-1768) was an English botanist, best known for his work聽Historia Plantarum Rariorum聽(1728鈥1737), and his translation of the聽Georgics聽of Virgil. As a well-educated man in both medical and botanical studies, Martyn began life as the humble son of a merchant. In 1732 he was appointed Professor of Botany at Cambridge University, but soon ceased lecturing due to a lack of support and equipment. Nonetheless, he remained a professor at Cambridge until 1768.
