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Illustrations and proofs of the principle of population: including an examination of the proposed remedies of Mr. Malthus, and a reply to the objections of Mr. Godwin and others.

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First edition of the first book to argue for birth control by contraception, the only book written by the radical reformer friend of James Mill and Jeremy Bentham.

Through David Ricardo, Place had received a copy of Robert Malthus’ Essay, and replied to Godwin’s attacks against Malthus. Ricardo received the proofs of this work in September 1821; it was published the following year. More sanguine than Malthus about the reform of the institutions, Place rejected Godwin’s inconsistency and defends Malthusian principles. Place launched the first ‘neo-Malthusian’ campaign for contraception and in 1824-5 he was the organising force behind the successful effort to legalise trade unions. ‘Place carried the Malthusian theory to its logical conclusion by advocating birth control, and it is noteworthy that, just as Malthus’ predictions of the turn of future events proved false, so subsequent generations have reversed the practical consequences of his policies, and declared in favour of the main tenets of the critics’ (Smith, The Malthusian Controversy, p. 329).

Place was heavily influenced by Thomas Paine, although before 1820 he moved closer to utilitarian circles. In Illustrations and Proofs, Place distanced himself from both Malthus (who, he thought, ignored the conditions in which the poor lived) and Godwin (who had given up all hope for their improvement), pointing out ‘that the poor could be persuaded to avoid the burden of large families only if they were encouraged to use contraception, and his frank propaganda for this lost him many friends’ (Oxford DNB).

Goldsmiths’ 23493; Kress C.943; The Malthus Library Catalogue, p. 134.

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