Literature, Science and Exploration in the Romantic Era: Bodies of Knowledge

by Tim Fulford, Debbie Lee, Peter J. Kitson

The authors of this study examine the massive impact of colonial exploration upon British scientific and literary activity between the 1760s and 1830s. This broad-ranging survey will appeal to literary and cultural studies scholars.

Genres: Science

348 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2004

About the author

Professor Tim Fulford is one of the leading proponents of the new, historicised critique of literature as applied to the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries (especially Romantic literature). He has written a series of internationally acclaimed authoritative works on poetry in relation to the politics of landscape (rural society), to issues of gender (in particular, the politicisation of masculinity) and to exploration, colonialism and science.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. The Cambridge Studies in Romanticism series is generally excellent, and this work stands out. Written clearly enough for non-experts but researched with such care that it expands any scholar of Romanticism’s understanding of the period. The finest form of cultural and contextual criticism: chapters discussing topics such as skull measurements or vaccinations connect clearly to canonical and non-canonical literature of the period. A book I will return to frequently, I expect.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting information on writing in the early 19th century.