Of suicide, "probably the most widely read and most influential philosophical treatment of suicide written in modern times," was written in 1755 and originally intended to be published as one of five essays, including The natural history of religion and Of the immortality of the soul, in that year. Advance copies were printed and sent to friends, but two of the essays, including Of suicide, were withdrawn for fear of official persecution. Clerical critics of Hume knew of the essay and referred to it as evidence of Hume's atheism and immorality; a French translation was published in 1770 without Hume's knowledge, and the English version appeared in 1777, although in that printing neither author nor publisher were named. The first attributed publication came in 1783, under the title, Essays on suicide and the immortality of the soul, ascribed to the late David Hume esq., never before published. With remarks, intended as an antidote to the poison contained in these performances. Full text of the 1777 printing from davidhume.org at this link. Digital facsimile of the 1784 edition from Google Books at this link.