Aspects of Recusant History

Tom Birrell was a Professor of English and American Literature at the University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands. He was a bibliographer and historian, known for his popular surveys of English literature in Dutch. This edition contains fourteen of his articles published between 1950 and 2006, demonstrating his bibliographical expertise, knowledge of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century English Catholic history, and interest in the individual lives of those caught up in the turmoil of their time.

Format: Hardback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Thomas Anthony Birrell, a multifaceted individual, lived a remarkable life from 1924 to 2011. For the majority of his professional career, he held the esteemed position of Professor of English and American Literature at the University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Renowned for his engaging, humorous, and intellectually stimulating lectures, Birrell left an indelible mark on his students and colleagues. While he was best known for his popular surveys of English literature in Dutch, his true passion lay in bibliography and history.

Birrell's scholarly contributions are vast and diverse, encompassing a wide range of topics. Among his notable works is English Monarchs and their Books (London, 1986), a comprehensive study of the Old Royal Library. However, many of his publications remain hidden in sporadic publications, periodicals, and introductions to books that have since gone out of print. Recognizing the need to bring his bibliographical essays to a wider audience, a posthumous selection titled Aspects of Book Culture (Ashgate, 2013) was published. This selection serves as a testament to Birrell's bibliographical expertise, his deep understanding of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century English Catholic history, and his unwavering determination to explore every piece of archival material that could shed light on the subjects he investigated.

The present edition, Aspects of Recusant History, showcases fourteen of Birrell's articles, which were published between 1950 and 2006. These articles not only showcase Birrell's bibliographical prowess but also his profound knowledge of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century English Catholic history and his unwavering commitment to examining every scrap of archival material that could contribute to his research. What sets Birrell apart is his ability to blend his scholarship with a deep interest in the individual lives that shaped and were shaped by history. Through his writings, readers are given a unique perspective, allowing them to empathize with a diverse range of personalities caught up in the tumultuous times of their era.

The editing of Aspects of Recusant History was a collaborative effort, involving Jos Blom, Frans Korsten, and Frans Blom, all of whom were former students of Birrell. Individually and collectively, they have contributed significantly to preserving and presenting Birrell's intellectual legacy. The book is organized into three sections, each dedicated to a specific aspect of Birrell's work. The first section, "Bibliography and Recusant History," explores Birrell's contributions to the field of bibliography and his meticulous research methods. The second section, "Recusant History and Society," delves into the social and cultural context of the Recusant period, highlighting the struggles and challenges faced by Catholics during this time. The third section, "Personalities and Recusant History," showcases Birrell's ability to bring individual lives to life, providing a glimpse into the experiences and struggles of Recusant individuals.

In conclusion, Thomas Anthony Birrell was a man of many parts, with a remarkable career as a Professor of English and American Literature and a passionate bibliographer and historian. His scholarly oeuvre is extensive, encompassing a wide range of topics. Despite the obscurity of some of his publications, the posthumous selection of his bibliographical essays and the companion volume dedicated to his essays in the field of recusant history serve as a testament to his enduring legacy. Aspects of Recusant History, edited by Jos Blom, Frans Korsten, and Frans Blom, provides a valuable insight into Birrell's bibliographical expertise, his deep knowledge of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century English Catholic history, and his unwavering commitment to examining every scrap of archival material that could shed light on the episodes he was investigating. Through his writings, Birrell allows readers to empathize with a diverse range of personalities caught up in the tumultuous times of their era, leaving a lasting impression on their understanding of history.

Weight: 532g
Dimension: 163 x 240 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367364434