William Robertson and the Expansion of Empire

This is an exploration of William Robertson, a leading figure in the eighteenth-century Enlightenment.

Stewart J. Brown (Edited by)

9780521060639, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 24 April 2008

296 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.456 kg

"This splendid volume serves as a valuable corrective to the recent bicentennial emphasis on Edward Gibbon....Individually and collectively, the essays are of great value for our understanding not only of Robertson but also of important aspects of eighteenth-century literary culture. This is also a fundamental work for those interested in historiography." Jeremy Black,Eighteenth-Century Scottish Studies Society

William Robertson (1721–1793) was a leading historical figure of the eighteenth-century Enlightenment and one of the triumvirate of historians, along with David Hume and Edward Gibbon, who profoundly shaped the European consciousness. His great histories of Scotland, Europe, America and India represented a steadily expanding vision of European and world history. It was a 'grand narrative' comprising the emergence of Britain, the development of the European system of independent nation states, the growth of the European empire in the Americas, and the beginnings of the European empire in India. This book, William Robertson and the Expansion of Empire, contains contributions from a number of distinguished historians and literary scholars who explore aspects of Robertson's intellectual achievements. However, particular attention is paid to Robertson's treatment of the theme of empire and European expansion.

List of contributors
Introduction Stewart J. Brown
1. William Robertson (1721–1793) and the Scottish Enlightenment Stewart J. Brown
2. Robertson's letters and the life of writing Jeffrey Smitten
3. Providence and progress: an introduction to the historical thought of William Robertson Nicholas Phillipson
4. Robertson's place in the development of eighteenth-century narrative history Karen O'Brien
5. Robertsonian romanticism and realism Owen Dudley Edwards
6. The ideological significance of Robertson's History of Scotland Colin Kidd
7. The reception of William Robertson's historical writings in eighteenth-century France John Renwick
8. Charles V and the book trade: an episode in Enlightenment print culture Richard B. Sher
9. 'From Savage to Scot' via the French and Spaniards: Robertson's principal Spanish sources Bruce P. Lenman
10. Robertson and contemporary images of India Geoffrey Carnall
11. A list of writings about William Robertson, 1755–1995 Jeffrey Smitten
Index.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX]