Empire of Sentiment: The Death of Livingstone and the Myth of Victorian Imperialism

The book "Empire of Sentiment" explores how David Livingstone's death connected British imperialism and Victorian humanitarianism, shaping Britain's romantic perception of itself as a humane power overseas. It highlights the powerful myths, images, and feelings that inspired colonial rule, white settler pioneers, missionaries, and Africans, sustaining a Victorian, polyphonic, and ideological British Empire in Africa.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 29 October 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

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This is the first emotional history of the British Empire. Joanna Lewis explores how David Livingstone's death tied together British imperialism and Victorian humanitarianism and inserted it into popular culture. Sacrifice and death; Superman-like heroism; the devotion of Africans; the cruelty of Arab slavery; and the sufferings of the ordinary man generated waves of sentimental feeling. These powerful myths, images, and feelings incubated down the generations - through grand ceremonies, further exploration, humanitarianism, Christian teaching, narratives of masculine endeavour and heroic biography - inspiring colonial rule in Africa, white settler pioneers, missionaries, and Africans. Empire of Sentiment demonstrates how this central African story shaped Britain's romantic perception of itself as a humane power overseas when the colonial reality fell far short. Through sentimental humanitarianism, Livingstone helped sustain a British Empire in Africa that remained profoundly Victorian, polyphonic, and ideological; whilst always understood at home as proudly liberal on race.

Livingstone's death, a significant event in British imperial history, intertwined British imperialism and Victorian humanitarianism, profoundly shaping popular culture. The narrative surrounding Livingstone's demise generated a wave of sentimental feeling, encompassing sacrifice, heroism, the devotion of Africans, the cruelty of Arab slavery, and the sufferings of the ordinary man. These powerful myths, images, and emotions permeated society for generations, influencing grand ceremonies, further exploration, humanitarianism, Christian teaching, narratives of masculine endeavour, and heroic biography. They inspired colonial rule in Africa, white settler pioneers, missionaries, and Africans.

Empire of Sentiment delves into how this central African story influenced Britain's romantic perception of itself as a humane power overseas, despite the stark contrast between the colonial reality and the idealized image. Livingstone, through his sentimental humanitarianism, played a crucial role in sustaining a British Empire in Africa that remained profoundly Victorian, polyphonic, and ideological. At the same time, it was proudly perceived at home as liberal on race.

Livingstone's legacy continues to resonate in the present day, reminding us of the complex and multifaceted nature of British imperialism and the enduring impact of Victorian humanitarianism on the world. His story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by individuals and the importance of empathy and compassion in navigating the complexities of global relations.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316648230