Note: Translated by Samuel Henley Beckford arranged this English translation of the original French manuscript, but its publication in 1786, without any corrections by him and crediting no author, was unauthorized. The French manuscript was not published, and was lost. The first two French-language editions, both dated 1787, were re-translations from this one. Beckford revised the work in English at least twice, for 1816 and 1823 editions. --based on the Beckford biographical entry by John Clute [JC], Encyclopedia of Fantasy (1997), with undated Addenda (linked above), and the English Wikipedia novel article [EN] JC and EN do not make clear whether Beckford participated in a 1786/87 or any later French-language reconstruction. Nor whether this version has been the basis for any later translations. JC notes a new English translation in 1929.