The 'Historical Narration' is stated in the DNB to have been 'written about 1668', but seems to have been first published in 1680, after Hobbes's death in 1679. 'After being much neglected in England Hobbes's fame was rehabilitated by the utilitarians, who found much that was congenial to them in his unflinching clearness and rationalism, his doctrine of association, his recognition of utility as the aim of social action, and his theory of sovreignty. Their interest was proved by Molesworth's edition of Hobbes's works, which, unfortunately, was not completed by any general survey or biographical investigation'.

Wing H2238; T.C.I, 397; Molesworth IV, [385]-408.