Patriotism and Poetry in Eighteenth-Century Britain

This book argues that the eighteenth-century poetry was addressing the great issues of national life.

Dustin Griffin (Author)

9780521811187, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 February 2002

328 pages, 7 b/w illus.
23.7 x 16 x 2.1 cm, 0.64 kg

'Dustin Griffin's Patriotism and Poetry in Eighteenth-Century Britain is a pleasure to read for its seamless linking of the literature and history of the period. Griffin's book adds much to our knowledge of the period.' Zeitschrift für Anglistik unk Amerikanistik

The poetry of the mid - and late eighteenth century has long been regarded as primarily private and apolitical; in this wide-ranging study Dustin Griffin argues that in fact the poets of the period were addressing the great issues of national life - rebellion at home, imperial wars abroad, an expanding commercial empire, an emerging new 'British' national identity. Taking up the topic of patriotic verse, Griffin shows that the poets, like many contemporary essayists, sermon writers, and political journalists, were engaged in the century-long debate about the nature of 'true patriotism'. Griffin argues that canonical figures - James Thomson, William Collins, Thomas Gray, Christopher Smart, Oliver Goldsmith, William Cowper - along with less canonical writers such as Mark Akenside, John Dyer, and Ann Yearsley ask how poets might serve and even save their country, and take their place in a broader tradition of patriotic verse.

List of illustrations
Acknowledgments
List of abbreviations
Introduction
1. The eighteenth-century debate about patriotism
2. Patriotic odes and Patriot-poets
3. James Thomson: 'To mix the patriot's with the poet's flame'
4. Mark Akenside: 'Great citizen of Albion'
5. William Collins: 'Virtue's patriot theme'
6. Thomas Gray: 'Some great and singular service to his country'
7. John Dyer: 'Sedulous for the public weal'
8. Oliver Goldsmith: 'Half a patriot'
9. Christopher Smart and William Cowper: 'Christian patriots'
10. Ann Yearsley: 'The female patriot'
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], British & Irish history [HBJD1], Literary studies: poetry & poets [DSC]