A Data-Driven Analysis of Cemeteries and Social Reform in Paris, 1804-1924

This book uses data analysis to study the cemeteries of Paris, revealing hidden visual material through archival evidence. It is the first comprehensive study of vernacular monuments in France and offers insights into the lives of the entrepreneurs who created them. By employing a combination of distant and close viewing and computational methods, the book compensates for gaps in the material record and provides valuable insights into visual culture, popular culture, digital humanities, and French history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 28 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the enigmatic world of Parisian cemeteries, employing a novel and data-driven approach to analyze a substantial body of archival material as a proxy for the visual material that has been tragically lost due to systematic and legally sanctioned acts of erasure. This groundbreaking study stands as the first comprehensive examination of vernacular monuments in France, shedding light on the remarkable entrepreneurs who created them. Moreover, it offers valuable methodological insights at the intersection of computational and digital humanities, specifically designed to address survival biases in extant historical evidence. Given the scarcity of extant examples of these more inconspicuous monuments, this project employs a multi-faceted approach, combining distant and close viewing techniques, including the analysis of commercial almanacs, work logs, and burial records, alongside detailed case studies. This comprehensive approach aims to compensate for the gaps in the material record and provide a deeper understanding of these lesser-known historical treasures.

The book holds immense appeal to scholars engaged in the fields of visual culture, popular culture, digital humanities, and French history. Its innovative approach and rich insights offer valuable perspectives on the past, contributing to our collective knowledge and appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of Paris.

Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032502090