Words, Books, Images, and the Long Eighteenth Century: Essays for Allen Reddick

This collection of essays explores the relationship between lexicography, book culture, and the canonization and commemoration of English literary figures and their works in the long eighteenth century, drawing inspiration from the scholarship of Allen Reddick on Samuel Johnson and Thomas Hollis. It features canonical authors and readers, printers and publishers, biographers, lexicographers, and portrait painters, engaging in a conversation about the creation and consumption of books.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 16 December 2021
Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Co

This collection of essays explores the intricate relationship between lexicography, book culture, and the canonization and commemoration of English literary figures and their works during the long eighteenth century. Drawing inspiration from the scholarship of Allen Reddick on Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), the renowned English lexicographer known for his influential Dictionary (1755), and Thomas Hollis (1720-1774), the lesser-known bibliophile who gifted books by a diverse array of Whig authors to individuals, libraries, and Protestant bastions across Britain, continental Europe, and America, the essays engage in a lively dialogue.

Within the pages of Words, Books, Images, readers are invited to embark on a literary journey that traverses the realms of prose and poetry, unearthing the canonical voices of Bacon, Milton, Defoe, Dryden, Pope, Richardson, Swift, Byron, Mary Shelley, and Edward Lear. Moreover, they are introduced to the agents of their canonization and commemoration, including the printers and publishers of Grub Street, the biographer John Aubrey, the lexicographer and biographer Johnson, the bibliophile Hollis, and the portrait painter Reynolds.

What sets this collection apart is its commitment to engaging with fellow readers of both past and present. It recognizes the diverse ways in which individuals engage with books, from perusing their words to poaching their insights, snipping their quotes, and savoring their images. The essays invite readers to participate in the ongoing conversation about the power and significance of literature, exploring the ways in which it shapes our understanding of the world and influences our cultural heritage.

Through its rich and multifaceted exploration, Words, Books, Images offers a valuable contribution to the field of literary studies, shedding light on the complex interplay between language, literature, and culture in the long eighteenth century. It serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of English literary figures and their works, while also acknowledging the role of readers and the broader cultural context in shaping their reception and interpretation.

Weight: 620g
ISBN-13: 9789027210630