The Novels of Samuel Richardson: Complete and Unabridged, Volume 5

This volume is part of a comprehensive collection of Samuel Richardson's works edited by William Lyon Phelps, a distinguished Yale professor and literary critic active in the early 20th century. Published originally as a set, these editions were designed to provide a scholarly, authoritative text of the 18th-century novelist's influential epistolary works, such as Pamela and Clarissa, for a growing academic and public audience interested in the origins of the English novel.

The design of these volumes typically emphasizes a formal, academic aesthetic, reflecting the editorial rigor that Phelps brought to the project. As an editor, Phelps sought to contextualize Richardson’s moral and narrative contributions for a modern readership, aiming to balance critical commentary with the complete, unabridged source material. The series remains a notable example of early 20th-century archival publishing, valued for its historical consistency and editorial legacy.