This 17th volume from the series of bibliographies of the 18th century is divided into sections on: printing and bibliographic studies; historical, social and economic studies; philosophy, science and religion; the fine arts; literary studies; and individual authors.

This reference work provides bibliographic details for students of 18th-century studies.

The handlists were first published, 1947-50, in the author's Eighteenth century bibliographical pamphlets series. The bibliography by John P. Anderson (p. 207-230) was first published in 1887 in the Life of Tobias George Smollett, by David Hannay.