Carlyle, Emerson and the Transatlantic Uses of Authority: Literature, Print, Performance

This book explores the impact of literary, cultural, political and legal manifestations on nineteenth-century British and American writing, publishing and lecturing. It examines the transatlantic writings and professional careers of Thomas Carlyle and Ralph Waldo Emerson, and how they were shaped by Romantic debates about race and nationhood, cultural nationalism and literary historiography. It also sheds light on their professional identities as publishing authors and lecturing celebrities on both sides of the Atlantic.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 16 August 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

This book delves into the intricate interplay between Anglo-American print culture and oral performance, offering a fresh and comprehensive analytical framework for the study of nineteenth-century transatlantic writing. By seamlessly integrating literary studies, book history, and cultural sociology, the author crafts a novel approach to understanding the rich tapestry of nineteenth-century transatlantic literature. Through the lens of unfamiliar texts and contexts, the author reimagines canonical works, shedding new light on their meanings and significance. Drawing upon a wealth of archival sources and historical periodical publications, the book provides an in-depth account of nineteenth-century Anglo-American print culture and the transatlantic lecture system. It examines the transatlantic writings and professional careers of Thomas Carlyle and Ralph Waldo Emerson, exploring the profound impact of literary, cultural, political, and legal manifestations on nineteenth-century British and American writing, publishing, and lecturing.

The book retraces Romantic debates about race and nationhood, delving into the complex relationship between cultural nationalism and literary historiography. It sheds light on Carlyle's and Emerson's professional identities as publishing authors and lecturing celebrities on both sides of the Atlantic, highlighting their roles as cultural brokers and intellectuals. By examining the interplay between print culture, oral performance, and the broader social and political context of the nineteenth century, this book offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex and multifaceted world of transatlantic writing.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474491952