William Godwin (1756-1836) was one of the first exponents of utilitarianism and the first modern proponent of anarchism. He was not only a radical philosopher but a pioneer in libertarian education, a founder of communist economics and a powerful novelist whose literary family included his partner, Mary Wollstonecraft, and his daughter Mary Godwin (later Mary Shelley). This work offers for the first time a collection of Godwin's key writings in a clear and concise form, together with an assessment of his influence, a biographical sketch and an analysis of his contribution to anarchism.