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The Millionth Volume
The centerpiece of the Language and the Law Conference will be the unveiling of John Rastell's Exposicions of (th)e Termys of (th)e Law of England as the symbolic Millionth Volume acquired by the Jamail Center for Legal Research. When it was first printed in 1523, it was not only the first English law dictionary ever printed, but also the first dictionary of any kind published in the English language. The title page of the Millionth Volume is from the first edition of 1523, and the remaining text is from the 1530 printing. Each of these editions is extremely rare, with only two other known copies. As such Exposicions of (th)e Termys of (th)e Law of England will be the crown jewel of an outstanding collection of dictionaries housed at the Jamail Center for Legal Research.

The acquisition of this treasured volume was made possible through a generous donation from Joseph D. Jamail (University of Texas School of Law, 1953).

Reprodution of the printer's device used by John RastellA reproduction of the elaborate printer's device used by John Rastell in the 16th century. The printer's device reflects the commonly-held belief at the time that the understanding of the nature of the four elements was the beginning of wisdom. This belief is represented visually as the "Father of Heaven" ruling benignly over Merman and Mermaid as well as over the heavenly bodies and the four elements. Click on the image to view full-size.

Tarlton Law Library's Million-and-First Volume
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