Commentaries on the Laws of England: Book 4, Of Public Wrongs (Illustrated)

John Locke is often cited as the main influence on the political philosophy of the Founding Fathers during the American Revolution, and in the realm of law, that same position was held by Sir William Blackstone (1723-1780).

After studying law, Blackstone became an accomplished barrister, rising so far as to become a patron of King George III. But he left his true mark on legal philosophy by writing at length about English Common Law, which set the precedents for law in the United States. …