Smell in Eighteenth-Century England: A Social Sense

During the 1670s to 1820s, England experienced a shift in how smell and the senses were perceived, challenging the equation of smell with disease. William Tullett's study reveals that it was a new recognition of smell's social-sociability and its capacity to create atmospheres of uncomfortable intimacy that transformed the relationship between the senses and society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 27 August 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

In England, a remarkable transformation occurred from the 1670s to the 1820s, revolutionizing the perception of smell and the senses. The role of smell in developing medical and scientific knowledge underwent a rigorous examination, challenging the longstanding association between scent and disease. However, a fresh fascination with the emotional and idiosyncratic dimensions of smell granted odor a newfound influence in the sociable spaces of eighteenth-century England.

To explore this intriguing shift, William Tullett delves into a diverse array of sources, including diaries, letters, sanitary records, satirical prints, consumer objects, and magazines. Through his meticulous research, Tullett uncovers how individuals and communities perceived the scents surrounding them, ranging from the pleasant aroma of paint and perfume to the pungent odors of onions and farts.

What emerges from Tullett's study is a profound challenge to the prevailing narrative surrounding smell in eighteenth-century England. Contrary to popular belief, this era was not characterized by the medicalization and deodorization of English olfactory culture. Instead, it witnessed a new recognition of smell's social-sociability and its ability to create atmospheres of uncomfortable intimacy. This transformative shift in perception altered the intricate relationship between the senses and society, paving the way for a more nuanced and complex understanding of odor's role in human experience.

In conclusion, Smell in Eighteenth-Century England offers a captivating exploration of the complex interplay between smell, society, and the senses. Through meticulous research and a fresh perspective, Tullett challenges the prevailing narrative and reveals the profound ways in which odor shaped the social and cultural landscape of eighteenth-century England. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of sensory history and provides a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between humans and their environment.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192847454