The Nineteenth-Century History of English Studies / Edition 1

by Alan Bacon

Overview

This study collects together many of the original texts from the long-running debate which surrounded the rise of English as an academic subject. Most of the texts were ephemeral and have been long out of print, but they are essential to an understanding of how English studies developed. They show how English was influenced by pre-existing subjects like rhetoric and classics, and how it assumed different faces in different academic institutions. Each text is given an introduction which sets it in context and highlights themes. A general introduction to the book sketches the history of English studies in the nineteenth century. London was central to the early history, with University College, King’s College and Queen’s College all looming large. Oxford figured later in the century, and became the centre of a truly national debate over the future of the subject. Schools played a part, especially grammar schools catering for middle-class pupils who were commonly identified as the main market for English.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781840142785
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/20/1998
Series:	The Nineteenth Century Series
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Contents: Introduction; Hugh Blair: Introduction to Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres, Thomas Campbell: ’Suggestions respecting the Plan of a College in London’, Edward Copleston: Review of Thomas Campbell’s plans for a college, Thomas Babington Macaulay: ’Thoughts on the Advancement of Academical Education in England’, Thomas Dale: ’Introductory Lecture’ at University College, London, 1828, F.D. Maurice: ’Education of the Middle Class’; ’Introductory Lecture’ at King’s College, London, 1840; Preface to Learning and Working, Charles Kingsley: ’On English Composition’; ’On English Literature’; Appointment of a Professor of English Language and Literature at University College, London in 1865: Report of a Committee of the Senate; The Schools Inquiry Commission: G.G. Bradley, Minutes of Evidence from G.G. Bradley; Dudley Ryder, Earl of Harrowby; Minutes of Evidence from the Earl of Harrowby; Museum and English Journal of Education: ’The Study of English Classics’; ’On the Teaching of the English Language and Literature’; ’On the Method of Teaching the English Language and Literature - II; ’On the Method of Teaching the English Language and Literature - III, Henry Sedgwick; ’The theory of Classical Education’; J.W. Hales ’The Teaching of English’; John Seeley: ’English in Schools’; E.A. Abbott: ’The Teaching of English’; Matthew Arnold: General Reports for 1852, 1860, 1871, 1872, 1876, 1880; John Churton Collins: Review of From Shakespeare to Pope, by Edmund Gosse; Review of the Petition addressed to Oxford University’s Hebdomadal Council for the Foundation of a School of Modern Literature, 1886; Letters to the Pall Mall Gazette, 1886-1887; Edward Freeman: Literature and Language; The Newbolt Report: The Teaching of English in England: Introduction to the Report; Sources of Texts; Index.

Editorial Reviews

Collects together many of the original texts from the long-running debate which surrounded the rise of English as an academic discipline. Most of the texts have long been out of print. They show how English was influenced by pre-existing subjects like rhetoric and classics, and how it assumed different faces in different academic institutions. Selections are presented in chronological order, with texts from 1783 and 1921 framing material from the 19th century. Includes a general introduction, and selection introductions. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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