Samuel Richardson in Context

The life and works of Samuel Richardson (1689–1761) are explored through essays on their historical, literary, intellectual and cultural contexts.

Peter Sabor (Edited by), Betty A. Schellenberg (Edited by)

9781107150126, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 September 2017

388 pages, 20 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.4 cm, 0.76 kg

'… Sabor and … Schellenberg have put together a superb 'In Context' collection for Cambridge: Samuel Richardson in Context. Every single essay is excellent. The thirty-seven chapters represent the best Richardson scholarship out there …' Cynthia Wall, SEL Studies in English Literature 1500–1900

Since the publication of his novel Pamela; or Virtue Rewarded in 1740, Samuel Richardson's place in the English literary tradition has been secured. But how can that place best be described? Over the three centuries since embarking on his printing career the 'divine' novelist has been variously understood as moral crusader, advocate for women, pioneer of the realist novel and print innovator. Situating Richardson's work within these social, intellectual and material contexts, this new volume of essays identifies his centrality to the emergence of the novel, the self-help book, and the idea of the professional author, as well as his influence on the development of the modern English language, the capitalist economy, and gendered, medicalized, urban, and national identities. This book enables a fuller understanding and appreciation of Richardson's life, work and legacy, and points the way for future studies of one of English literature's most celebrated novelists.

Part I. Life and Works: 1. Portraying the life Thomas Keymer
2. Publication history Peter Sabor
3. Correspondence Louise Curran
Part II. Critical Fortunes: 4. Editions Hilary Havens
5. Contemporary transnational reception Mary Helen McMurran
6. Reputation Sören Hammerschmidt
7. Critical reception to 1900 Brian Corman
8. Critical reception since 1900 Albert J. Rivero
Part III. The Print Trade: 9. The Stationers' Company Ian Gadd
10. Transnational print trade relations Norbert Schürer
11. Authorship Betty A. Schellenberg
12. The literary marketplace Catherine Ingrassia
Part IV. The Book and its Readers: 13. The material book Christopher Flint
14. Editing Pat Rogers
15. Reading and readers Eve Tavor Bannet
Part V. Literary Genres and the Arts: 16. The novel April London
17. Fables and fairy-tales Margaret Anne Doody
18. Letters Joe Bray
19. Educational writing Bonnie Latimer
20. The English language Carol Percy
21. Salon culture and conversation Markman Ellis
22. Visual arts Lynn Shepherd
23. Theatre and drama Darryl P. Domingo
24. Humour Simon Dickie
Part VI. Social Structures and Social Life: 25. Money and economics Edward Copeland
26. The law Simon Stern
27. Family Toni Bowers
28. Gender Kathleen M. Oliver
29. Sexuality James Grantham Turner
30. Medicine and health Heather Meek
31. Death and mourning culture Peter Walmsley
32. London Linda Bree
33. Sentiment and sensibility Katherine Binhammer
34. Religion E. Derek Taylor
35. Social hierarchy and social mobility Karen Lipsedge
36. Politics Howard D. Weinbrot
37. Nationalism Lisa O'Connell.

Subject Areas: Literary companions, book reviews & guides [DSRC], Literary reference works [DSR], Literary studies: fiction, novelists & prose writers [DSK], Literary studies: c 1500 to c 1800 [DSBD]