Narrative of the Life of James Allen
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The Narrative of the Life of James Allen, alias Jonas Pierce, alias James H. York, alias Burley Grove, the Highwayman, Being His Death-bed Confession to the Warden of the Massachusetts State Prison is an autobiographical work by James Allen. It is noteworthy in part for being an example of anthropodermic bibliopegy (the practice of binding books in human skin), which was not unknown in its time.
The book was published in Boston by Harrington and Co. in 1837; according to tales from Allen's family members the binder was not apparently aware of the materials he was using at the time of its binding.
[edit] About the book
The front cover contains a title-plate which reads "HIC LIBER WALTONIS CUTIS COMPACTUS EST"; Walton was one of the author's aliases.
The narrative is a combination of autobiography and confession, transcribed by the warden, as the author himself was unable to write.
[edit] External links
- Full text of the work plus commentary, via the Boston Athenaeum.
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