A prolific author and founding member of the Royal Society, John Evelyn (1620–1706) was one of the most remarkable intellectuals in late seventeenth-century English society. While his diary has long been considered second only to that of Samuel Pepys in importance, until quite recently his papers were inaccessible to scholars.

The Letterbooks of John Evelyn, a 2-volume collection of more than eight hundred letters selected by Evelyn himself, constitutes an essential new resource for scholars of seventeenth-century England. The two books in this set give modern readers access to Evelyn’s correspondence with scientists and scholars such as Robert Boyle and Richard Bentley, political figures including Edward Hyde and Sidney Godolphin, and his friend and fellow diarist Samuel Pepys. They also include Evelyn’s accounts of major events such as the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, the “Glorious Revolution” of 1688, and the founding and early history of the Royal Society.

Douglas D.C. Chambers is a professor emeritus in the Department of English at the University of Toronto.

Douglas D.C. Chambers' profile page

David Galbraith is an associate professor in the Department of English at the University of Toronto.

David Galbraith's profile page

• Winner, Ewart-Daveluy Indexing Award awarded by the Indexing Society of Canada

‘These volumes constitute a monument hung up for posterity; it is now properly displayed and its use will be a fitting appreciation of an impressive achievement. The editors deserve a great deal of it.’

Renaissance Quarterly vol 68:04:2015

‘The edition is in many ways exemplary. It is well produced and beautifully illustrated…The letters are meticulously annotated… the actual text is preceded by a brilliant introduction…. In almost every respect this is an editorial triumph.’

Isis vol 106:04:2015

‘These letters are very well edited, with highly informative introduction and notes. Douglas Chambers and David Galbraith are to be congratulated for this very stimulating addition to the seventeenth-century scene.’

The Seventeenth Century vol 30:03:2015

‘The book is pleasingly designed. Chambers and Galbraith have made such an interesting and important text available for the first time that it would be churlish not to applaud.’

English Studies in Canada vol 41:03:2015

‘The Letterbooks of John Evelyn is a must-have resource for scholars, educators, and librarians interested in English Revolution and Restoration.’

Papers of the Bibliographical Society of Canada vol 53:02:2016