Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded [by S. Richardson]. [Another] - Primary Source Edition

Samuel Richardson’s Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded was first published in 1740 and is widely considered one of the earliest examples of the English novel. Written in an epistolary format, the work follows a young maidservant who navigates the predatory advances of her employer, ultimately securing a marriage that elevates her social standing. Richardson, a printer by trade, crafted the narrative to teach virtue through the eyes of a relatable heroine, sparking an immediate cultural phenomenon that captivated 18th-century readers.

The Primary Source Edition identified here represents a modern republication of this foundational text. By reproducing historical prints, such editions aim to provide researchers and enthusiasts with an accessible facsimile of the work’s original presentation. These editions serve to preserve the linguistic nuances and editorial layout that defined Richardson’s stylistic approach, ensuring that the moral debates and domestic drama that once polarized London society remain available for contemporary study.