Before the Romantics
An Anthology of the Enlightenment
Published on 29. May 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
362 pages
978-0-571-24284-9 (ISBN)
Description
The second in a trio of anthologies by Geoffrey Grigson (The Romantics, Before the Romantics and The Victorians) that are both highly entertaining and provide a fresh approach to the ideas of an age. Primarily anthologies of poetry, with prose from the era to illustrate it, they have been universally praised for their great scope and their original take on English literature.
In Before the Romantics, Grigson anthologizes 'the variety and vigour' of the thinking and writing of the Enlightenment. Putting the pieces in an entirely new context, Grigson examines the way that reason and imagination intertwined, or collided head on, in the period. The central writers are Pope, Dryden, Johnson and Swift, but philosophers such as Locke and Hume, scientists such as Robert Hooke, artists such as George Stubbs are also represented. From this lively, eclectic selection, Grigson shows that 'there is more "hunger of the soul" bubbling up . . . in the Gobi of Reason than is allowed for in that popular estimate of the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries'.
In Before the Romantics, Grigson anthologizes 'the variety and vigour' of the thinking and writing of the Enlightenment. Putting the pieces in an entirely new context, Grigson examines the way that reason and imagination intertwined, or collided head on, in the period. The central writers are Pope, Dryden, Johnson and Swift, but philosophers such as Locke and Hume, scientists such as Robert Hooke, artists such as George Stubbs are also represented. From this lively, eclectic selection, Grigson shows that 'there is more "hunger of the soul" bubbling up . . . in the Gobi of Reason than is allowed for in that popular estimate of the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries'.
More details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 135 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
493 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-571-24284-9 (9780571242849)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Geoffrey Grigson, poet and writer, was born in Cornwall in 1905. After (in his words) "a profitless sojourn" at Oxford University, he worked as literary journalist and critic. His best journalism was collected in The Contrary View (1974) and Blessings, Kicks and Curses (1982), while The Harp of Aeolus (1947) and his book on Samuel Palmer (1947) contains some of his finest writing on art. His trio of poetry anthologies (Before the Romantics, The Romantics and The Victorians) were universally heralded for their careful and original selection. His first book of poetry was Several Observations (1939) and his Collected Poems was published in 1963.
He had four children and was married three times, lastly to Jane McIntire, who, as Jane Grigson, became a celebrated cookery expert. He died in 1985.
He had four children and was married three times, lastly to Jane McIntire, who, as Jane Grigson, became a celebrated cookery expert. He died in 1985.