Boxiana
Encyclopedia
Boxiana is the title given to a series of volumes of boxing articles written by early 19th century English
sportswriter/journalist Pierce Egan
(1772(?) - 1849). He wrote magazine articles about boxing
, which at that time was conducted under the London Prize Ring rules
, and was outlawed in England. A devoted follower of boxing, Egan called it "The Sweet Science of Bruising!" Periodically he would gather his boxing articles in a bound volume and publish them under the title Boxiana; or Sketches of Ancient and Modern Pugilism. The first volume was published in 1813 (although the title page reads 1812, due to the arrangement, common at the time, where the book was sent to subscribers in installments before being released to the public.) Four more volumes followed, in 1818, 1821, 1824, and 1828.
Egan's writing was brought back to popular attention by the boxing articles published in The New Yorker
from 1950–1964 by A.J. Liebling. Liebling referenced Egan frequently and named his own first collection of boxing articles The Sweet Science in Egan's honor. (The other Liebling collection is called A Neutral Corner).
Volumes of Boxiana are hard to find today, though the Folio Society
issued a reprint of the first volume in 1976, and in 1998 Nicol Island Publishers of Toronto
issued a reprint of the first volume and announced plans to reissue all five volumes. (As of February 2006, Nicol Island has published Volumes One, Two, and Three.)
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
sportswriter/journalist Pierce Egan
Pierce Egan
Pierce Egan was an early British journalist, sportswriter, and writer on popular culture.Egan was born in the London suburbs, where he spent his life. By 1812 he had established himself as the country's leading 'reporter of sporting events', which at the time meant mainly prize-fights and...
(1772(?) - 1849). He wrote magazine articles about boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, which at that time was conducted under the London Prize Ring rules
London Prize Ring rules
The London Prize Ring Rules was a list of boxing rules promulgated in 1838 and revised in 1853. These rules were based on those drafted by Britain's Jack Broughton in 1743 and governed the conduct of prizefighting/bare-knuckle boxing for over 100 years...
, and was outlawed in England. A devoted follower of boxing, Egan called it "The Sweet Science of Bruising!" Periodically he would gather his boxing articles in a bound volume and publish them under the title Boxiana; or Sketches of Ancient and Modern Pugilism. The first volume was published in 1813 (although the title page reads 1812, due to the arrangement, common at the time, where the book was sent to subscribers in installments before being released to the public.) Four more volumes followed, in 1818, 1821, 1824, and 1828.
Egan's writing was brought back to popular attention by the boxing articles published in The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
from 1950–1964 by A.J. Liebling. Liebling referenced Egan frequently and named his own first collection of boxing articles The Sweet Science in Egan's honor. (The other Liebling collection is called A Neutral Corner).
Volumes of Boxiana are hard to find today, though the Folio Society
Folio Society
The Folio Society is a book club based in London that produces new editions of classic books. Their books are notable for their high quality bindings and original illustrations...
issued a reprint of the first volume in 1976, and in 1998 Nicol Island Publishers of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
issued a reprint of the first volume and announced plans to reissue all five volumes. (As of February 2006, Nicol Island has published Volumes One, Two, and Three.)