Macpherson the Historian
History Writing, Empire and Enlightenment in the Works of James Macpherson
Published on 30. November 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
296 pages
978-1-3995-4111-4 (ISBN)
Description
This is the first book-length study of James Macpherson (1736-1796) that considers him as an historian. From his early poetry, to the Ossianic Collections, his prose histories, and his later political writing, Macpherson's subject was the past and he engaged with the latest Enlightenment theories about how to write history.
Macpherson the Historian examines James' published works, from the neoclassical verse of The Highlander (1758) to his pamphlets defending the British imperial state during the late 1770s. In all of these texts, Macpherson wrote as an Enlightenment historian, where ideas about narrative, philosophy, and erudition were interwoven with eighteenth-century debates about the Highlands, commercial modernity, and the British Empire.
Macpherson the Historian examines James' published works, from the neoclassical verse of The Highlander (1758) to his pamphlets defending the British imperial state during the late 1770s. In all of these texts, Macpherson wrote as an Enlightenment historian, where ideas about narrative, philosophy, and erudition were interwoven with eighteenth-century debates about the Highlands, commercial modernity, and the British Empire.
Reviews / Votes
an outstanding scholarly study that enriches our understanding of this most complex of characters - a lifelong advocate for the Highlands, one of the foremost Enlightenment thinkers and writers, a key player within the British political establishment, and not least, a historian who helped lay the foundations of modern historical practice. -- David Taylor * West Highland Notes and Queries * The MacPhersons' documentation of sources is impressive, notably in the extensive use of primary andsecondary sources in footnotes-more than 700 footnotes within the three central chapters. Their bibliography and index reflect an intense effort at gathering the essential sources and ensuring that future scholars will have a highly creditable resource. All academic libraries must add this book to their collection for those studying eighteenth-century history and thought, Scotland's cultural and intellectual past, and eighteenth-century British literature. -- Paul J. deGategno, Penn State Brandywine * Eighteenth-Century Scotland *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
422 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-3995-4111-4 (9781399541114)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Dr Mairi MacPherson is an academic and museum expert based in the Scottish Highlands, where she has published extensively on the works of James Macpherson and, together with Jim, redesigned the Clan Macpherson Museum in Newtonmore. Jim MacPherson is Programme Leader for MLitt British Studies, Postgraduate Research Co-Ordinator and Lecturer in History at The Centre for History, University of the Highlands and Islands.
Content
AcknowledgementsIntroduction: James Macpherson, the Enlightenment and Eighteenth-century History Writing 1 Frameworks and Genealogies: Macpherson the Historian in Context 2 Poetry: James Macpherson's History Writing in The Highlander and Ossian3 History: James Macpherson's Narrative Prose Histories 4 Politics and Empire: James Macpherson's Political Writings and the Crisis of Empire in the Late 1770sConclusion: James Macpherson: Enlightenment Historian and Imperial GaelBibliographyIndex