Edmund Burke's Letter to a Member of the National Assembly, published in 1791, stands as one of the most significant documents in the history of political thought. Written as a direct response to the radical events of the French Revolution, the letter was addressed to a French correspondent but intended for a wider European audience. Burke, already famous for his earlier work Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790), used this letter to further express his concerns about the dangers of revolutionary ideology.
In the Letter to a Member of the National Assembly, Burke criticized the French legislators for dismantling traditional institutions such as the monarchy, the church, and the aristocracy. He argued that by rejecting established authority and custom, the revolutionaries risked creating chaos, tyranny, and social collapse. For Burke, political order was not something to be reinvented overnight, but rather the result of centuries of inherited wisdom and gradual reform.
The publication of the letter in 1791 generated strong reactions. In Britain, conservatives and defenders of the established order praised Burke's eloquence and foresight, viewing him as a guardian of stability and tradition. On the other hand, radicals and supporters of revolutionary change condemned the letter, accusing Burke of defending privilege and opposing liberty. Across Europe, Burke's writings were widely translated, sparking debates among philosophers, politicians, and revolutionaries.
Today, Letter to a Member of the National Assembly is studied as a key text in political philosophy, illustrating Burke's belief in the importance of history, tradition, and prudence in governance. It highlights the clash between conservative thought and revolutionary ideals, a conflict that shaped modern politics. For researchers, students, and anyone interested in the intellectual debates surrounding the French Revolution, Burke's letter remains an essential primary source.
DESCRIPTION
Our edition of Letter to a Member of the National Assembly by Edmund Burke is presented in octavo format (16 × 22.5 cm), 92 pages. The book was typeset in Monotype Bulmer 14 pt. and printed on Fabriano Tiepolo cotton paper in a limited run of only 25 copies. Each copy is hand-bound in half-leather with a custom slipcase, ensuring durability and elegance worthy of such an important historical text.
