Arbuthnotiana: The Story of the St. Alb-ns Ghost (1712) A Catalogue of Dr. Arbuthnot's Library (1779)

A brisk and sharply witted pamphlet from the early eighteenth century, the first piece revives the infamous St Albans Ghost scandal as a lively Tory squib. Its allegorical attacks render contemporary Whig leaders as grotesque, low‑life figures, using brisk narration and biting irony that still spark a grin despite occasional dated references. The work’s rapid pirating in 1712 and the tangled questions surrounding its true author—whether a celebrated physician or a rival wit—add a layer of scholarly intrigue that keeps listeners curious.

The companion catalogue offers a rare glimpse into Dr Arbuthnot’s personal library, listing the books that shaped a leading intellect of the Augustan age. Though never before reprinted, the inventory reveals the breadth of his interests, from law and politics to natural philosophy, illuminating the intellectual currents that informed his satirical output. Together, these texts provide a compact yet richly textured snapshot of early‑modern political discourse and the private world of a learned doctor.