Download Chapter One: History

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY NOVEL:
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
by:
Rebekah Allen, Kris Fulk, Aaron Gallagher, Donna Keith & Beth Virtue
CONTENTS:
History Overview:
Introduction---------------------------------------------- Donna Keith
Political Timeline--------------------------------------- Beth Virtue
Economics----------------------------------------------- Rebekah Allen
Role of Women Writers-------------------------------- Kris Fulk
Biography of Male Writers---------------------------- Aaron Gallagher
URL Listings & General Resource Materials------- Donna Keith
Works Cited--------------------------------------------- All
HISTORY INTRODUCTION
by Donna Keith
The Eighteenth Century was a period of dramatic change that greatly affected
British history. New scientific developments, changes in the political structure, the rise
of the middle class, the Industrial Revolution, international trade, revolutionary wars,
religious reform, and an increasing amount of literary publications made this time in
British history very significant. Historical information relevant to the literary
contributions of this era, with a focus on the economic situation in England, major
political events, the role of women writers, and the important male authors of the century
follow in this chapter. Each section is unique in its presentation of facts that relate to the
history of Eighteenth Century England. At the end of this section, a list of web sites and
other resource materials have been supplied for the reader who wishes to pursue a study
of history's impact on the literature of the period.
The literature of the 1700’s was, in part, affected by the economic situation in
England at that time. England was still very much an agrarian society in the Eighteenth
Century, but only the wealthy owned land. Most of the population worked as tenant
farmers, and as the Industrial Revolution made its debut, many poor farmers moved to the
cities and worked in factories in an effort to better provide for their families. Further
developments in industry opened trading doors on the European continent and abroad,
which resulted in the rise of a middle class of people.
These changes added to the already changing political structure in England. For a
time England experienced an increase in its influence worldwide, but governmental
power struggles and several wars affected the nations position as a world leader. Add to
this the burgeoning women's movement and England once again becomes a society
transformed. During this time women's roles began to change dramatically. Women
fought for education rights, the end to slavery, marriage rights, and the opportunity to
advance their position in every facet of society. The publication of literary works by
women authors furthered their changing roles.
Not only were female authors on the rise, but more male authors were writing as
well. New genres were being developed, subject matter became more diversified, and
style and purpose changed as a new audience of readers emerged. Literature and the lives
it touched would never be the same again.
18th Century Political Timeline
By Beth Virtue
The following sections pertaining to the political and economic history of
Eighteenth Century England and the subsequent information on male and female writers
of this period are written in varied forms by the co-authors of this history chapter. It is
the authors hope the reader will enjoy these writings and find a useful resource in the list
of live web links and other sources made available for further study on how these aspects
of English history impacted the literature of its day.
What follows is a timeline that introduces a general outline of the 18th century as it
existed politically. This generic guide was taken from several different resources that
were combined to assist the reader as much as possible with a general overview of major
political events that took place in the 1700s. For instance, the changes in control of the
throne are shown, as well as the dates of wars that occurred in Western Europe at the
time. Included are web sites that may further assist those who are interested in the details
of certain terms and events. This general knowledge enables the reader to be better
acquainted with the century, and, hopefully, makes him feel more comfortable with the
information received during the course of any class dealing with that particular time
period.
Timeline
1702 - Queen Anne succeeds King William III and England declared war on France as
part of the War of the Spanish Succession.
1707 - The Act of Union unites England and Scotland and transfers the seat of Scottish
Government to London: Scots agree to send 16 peers and 45 MPs to English Parliament
in return for full trading privileges (see attached copy)
1708 - Queen Anne vetoes a parliamentary bill to recognize the Scottish militia (this is
the last time a bill is vetoed by the sovereign)
1710 - A Tory ministry is formed and the Whig government falls
1713 - War of the Spanish Succession ends by the Treaty of Utrecht
1714 - Death of Queen Anne; Elector George of Hanover succeeds as King George I;
new parliament is elected with a Whig majority led by Charles Townshend and Robert
Walpole;
1715 - The Jacobite Rebellion begins in Scotland in an attempt to overthrow the Hanover
succession but is defeated; The Riot Act is passed
1716 - The Septennial Act is passed and sets General Elections to be held every 7 years
1717 - Townshend is dismissed from government by George I; Walpole resigns; the
Whig party splits; convocation is suspended
1721 - Sir Robert Walpole returns as First Lord of the Treasury
1723 - The Waltham Black Acts add 50 capital offenses to the penal code: people could
be sentenced to death for theft and poaching. Excise tax levied for coffee, tea, and
chocolate.
1727 - Death of George I; succeeded by his son as King George II
1729 - Treaty of Seville with Spain
1730 - Walpole and Townshend split; Walpole becomes Prime Minister
1731 - Second Treaty of Vienna with Austria
1738 - Third Treaty of Vienna: England left out, humiliated; France gains power and
prestige
1740 - War of Austrian Succession
1742 - Walpole resigns as Prime Minister. England goes to war with Spain for the sake of
trade
1743 - George II leads British troops into battle at Dettingen in Bavaria
1745 - Jacobite Rebellion in Scotland with a Scottish victory
1746 - Scottish Jacobites beaten at the Battle of Culloden
1748 - The Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle brings the War of Austrian Succession to an end
1753 - Parliament passes the Jewish Naturalization Bill
1754 - First Royal troops not belonging to the East India Company sent to India
1756 - The Seven Years' War begins; Britain is allied with Prussia and declares war
against France, Austria and Russia
1758 - England begins to dominate India politically as well as commercially
1760 - Death of George II; succeeded by his grandson as George III
1763 - Peace of Paris ends the Seven Years' War. Lord Camden rules against the
government, thereby outlawing "general warrants," instruments of arbitrary
imprisonment.
1768 - Conversation club formed in Liverpool debates on the ballot box as opposed to
open-book voting (Secret Ballots not actually used until 1872)
1772 - Judge Mansfield rules that there is no legal basis for slavery in England; James
Burgh leads a group who want to replace Parliament with a U.S.-style assembly
1774 - Parliament passes the Coercive Acts in retaliation for the 'Boston Tea Party'
1776 - First comprehensive bill for Parliamentary reform, proposed by Wilkes, rejected.
Jeremy Bentham's "Theory of Legislation" published; Major Cartwright's "Take Your
Choice" (advocating universal male suffrage, vote by ballot, and annual Parliaments
1780 - The Gordon Riots develop from a procession to petition parliament against the
Catholic Relief Act. The English Reform movement allows not only landowners and
tenants to vote, but also freeholders with at least 40 shillings per annum as well; voting
takes place in open poll books. Major Cartwright founds the Society for Constitutional
Information, one of the first "radical societies" that agitated for voting and parliamentary
reform and publishes "Give Us Our Rights," insisting that poor men should be allowed to
vote
1782 - Catholic Relief act allows Irish Catholics to own land outside Parliamentary
boroughs and gives access to educational rights (dissenters also allowed valid marriage
ceremonies.)
1784 - Parliament passes the East India Act
1785 - William Pitt's (Prime Minister) motion for Parliamentary Reform is defeated
1788 - George III suffers an outbreak of madness
1789 - Outbreak of the French Revolution
1793 - Outbreak of war between Britain and France
1798 - Introduction of a tax of ten percent on incomes over 200 pounds
The Economics of 18th Century England
By Rebekah Allen
The 1700’s as a whole were years of growing prosperity for England. The Age of
Science and agrarian changes paved the way for the beginning of the Industrial
Revolution. As England underwent these changes at home, they continued to grow in
power and wealth overseas. The changes that occurred in these areas during this century
were essential in building England’s Empire and in forming the modern world’s
economy.
AGRICULTURE
At the turn of the century, England’s agrarian society was still very backward.
Much of the land was common land farmed by many tenant farmers that managed to
somehow support their families on what they produced. Little had changed from the
medieval agrarian system (Toynbee 8).
Owning land was a key to having political and social power. Those who had the
resources would enclose the common lands increasing their holdings and prestige. The
high cost of the land made it necessary for it to yield higher profits. By implementing
crop rotation, more modern tilling techniques, and working harder at the art of farming,
the productivity of the land was multiplied.
While enclosure and increased land productivity was occurring at a gradual rate at
the beginning of the century, after 1760 change occurred very rapidly. Nearly 7,000,000
acres of land were enclosed between 1760 and 1845 opposed to only 554,974 acres
between 1710 and 1760 (Toynbee 7). The massive enclosure of land, while good for land
productivity, displaced many tenant farmers, small squires, and yeomen. The early to
middle 1700’s were a prosperous time for the small farmer and agricultural worker. They
saw a real increase of their wages, had plenty of food, and a cottage. As the enclosures
increased and industrialization began, their security was lost.
Most of these became
workers in industries and factories, but there was a lot of dissatisfaction with their new
life-style. Their living and working conditions were very poor. They were no longer
their own masters, but had to live very constrained, time-conscious lives. The plight of
these poor workers led way to a large social concern for the poor, and in the next century
workers’ unions.
The invention of better farming implements and continued innovations in the area
of agriculture, along with the enclosure of the land, were necessary to meet the demands
of a growing demands of a growing, and increasingly industrialized nation. England’s
agricultural productivity was important to the economic stability of the nation and
ensured its ability to expand and industrialize (Marshall 11).
TRADE
England was already the leader in world trade at the beginning of the eighteenth
century, and its trading power continued to grow during the next 100 years. The East
India Company had the Asian continent under its monopoly, and through parliamentary
acts such as the Navigation Acts, England ensured its continues control of the
commercial seas.
The Navigation Acts restricted trading between the colonies and
countries outside the Empire. Raw materials such as sugar, tobacco, cotton and copper
were traded to England in exchange for manufactured goods.
The colonies were
restricted in what they could manufacture for themselves, to ensure they would provide a
market for England’s goods. While it seems that there was a lot of restriction put on
colonies, most prospered under this system.
Scotland was persuaded to unite with
England, under the Unification Act of 1707 in order to receive the preferential treatment
provided for members of the Empire under the Navigation Acts (Marshall 16 ).
Ireland was thought to be a threat to English merchants. England placed harsh
trade and manufacturing restrictions on them. They were not allowed to export anything
besides linen and agricultural products such as cattle and cheese. Because these were the
only items they could trade for imported manufactured goods, the Irish used the potato
for their own diet and saved the other products for export to England. These conditions
kept Ireland an agrarian society, and when the potato crop failed in later years led to a
famine that killed over 1.5 million people and caused massive emigration from Ireland
(Halsall 3).
England’s growing economy experienced a setback in 1720 when a venture
known as the South Sea Bubble fell through causing a temporary depression.
(See http://landow.stg.brown.edu/victorian/history/ssbubble.html)
The East India Company continued to prosper, and by the end of the century was
an extremely important player in England’s policies. It was during this time and due to
the East India Company that tea became popular and was made available to everyone.
(see http://www.theeastindiacompany.com/contents.html, )
London was the center for overseas trade almost exclusively at the beginning of
the century. By 1720, Bristol and Liverpool had built and improved their seaports
becoming important trade centers as well. These cities experienced exponential growth,
attracting merchants and artisans of all types (Marshall 19).
Internal trade in England was very difficult due to non-navigable rivers and
terrible road conditions. Trade between cities and villages occurred at fairs and marts,
but mostly cities and villages were pretty isolated from each other. This was a great
obstacle to the Industrial Revolution in England. River ways were greatly improved upon
during the century and used with good success by 1800 (Toynbee 14).
The strides England made in their commercial trade during the 18th century
helped them reach their pinnacle of glory and power in the next century.
INDUSTRY
The latter half of the 18th century marked the beginning of what is now known as
the Industrial Revolution. The changes in the agrarian system, the scientific advances,
the growing population, and England’s overseas expansion all worked to bring about this
period of rapid and intense change. See
http://mars.acnet.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/wc2/lectures/industrialrev.html
http://history.hanover.edu/modern/indrev.htm,
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/lect/mod16.html
The textile industry was the largest and the first to undergo the change of
machinery. The rise in population and the standard of living caused a big demand for
cloth. The prosperity of the time due to the increased productivity and overseas trade
gave merchants money to invest in research of new methods and machinery.
Wool manufacturing was the dominant part of the textile industry for most of the
1700’s. Cotton became a more important player in England’s economy due to the
invention of the flying shuttle (1733), the spinning jenny (1765), the water frame (1769),
the Mule (1790), the power loom (1785), and finally the cotton gin (1800). As machines
were invented, the demand for more cotton increased and new machines were needed to
compliment the others.
The first “modern” factories were textile factories established
during this time frame (Halsall 1).
Power machines became necessary to run the others. Perhaps the greatest and
most fundamental invention of the 1800’s was the steam engine. Steam was the power
behind the power that ran industries. The steam engine led to iron and steel industries.
The production of steel led to more machines, railways, ships, and iron buildings in the
19th century (Halsall 2).
CONCLUSION
England experienced a great deal of change during the 1700’s. As land was
enclosed by the wealthy, it became more productive. The new wealth created by
successful trade and higher productivity brought the emergence of a middle class. The
agricultural worker and farmer did well until after the middle of the century when most
were displaced and either lived as paupers or took industrial jobs that required them to
move to cities.
Overseas commerce continued to be prosperous for England as it
expanded its power and influence around the world.
As demand increased, new
machines and techniques were invented to help meet the demand. The industrialization
of the world had begun. By the end of the 18th century, England was firmly established
as the leading world power.
For more information on the economy of 18th century England click:
http://socserv2.socsci.mcmaster.ca/~econ/ugcm/3ll3/toynbee/indrev
http://history1700s.tqn.com/msub38.htm?pid=2765&cob=home
Women In 18th Century England
By Kristina Fulk
The Eighteenth Century was a very important time period for women in England.
During this time women were fighting for their own rights, as well as getting involved
and fighting for the rights of others. Between 1700-1800 women were rulers, writers and
publishers which were all things that had not been done by many women before them.
From March 8, 1702 until August 1, 1714 the ruler of England was Queen Anne
Stuart. This made her the most important person in all of England and put her in a
position that not many women before or since have been in. Other women who were a
part of the royal family were also doing things that most women were not doing. It has
been said that Anne Finch, who was the Countess of Winchilsea, may have been the best
woman poet in England prior to the nineteenth century. Some critics have said this
because she wrote what she knew and she did it in a witty and playful yet direct way.
(http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/mmbt/www/women/finch/finch-).
Some
of Finch’s poems include, “The Introduction,” “Consolation,” and “An Apology.” Only
two women published collections of their poetry before Anne Finch and this kind of
success is amazing for the time.
Women writers were not only part of the royal family, they were also a part of
other things that were going on in the Eighteenth century. The slave trade was a big part
of this time and women played their part. Several women poets of this time wrote poems
to show how they felt about the subject.
Some of these include, Hannah More’s,
“Slavery, A Poem,” Ann Yearsley’s, “A Poem on the Inhumanity of the Slave-Trade,”
and Maria and Harriet Falconer’s, “Poems on Slavery”
(http://humantitas.uscb.edu.projects/pack/rom-chrono/chrono2a.htm).
With the help of
these women slavery in England came to an end.
Another thing that women writers were getting involved in was editing and
publishing. At the very start of the century Mary de la Rivere Manly edited a book
written by nine women writers. It was called “The Nine Muses, or Poems by Nine
Several Ladies upon the Death of John Dryden, Esq.” Another woman that played a part
in publishing was Eliza Haywood who in April 1744 started publishing “The Female
Spectator,”
which
was
put
together
by
a
group
of
(http://humantitas.uscb.edu.projects/pack/rom-chrono/chrono2a.htm).
four
women
This continued
until May of 1746. Women in any kind of business was unusual at this time, but to be in
business that had to do with intellectual matters was extremely unusual.
Women writers at this time were not the only women who were making advances
at this time. Women all over England were fighting for more rights for women. The
women in the Eighteenth century were fighting for things that feminists of today’s era
would be proud of. They were starting to create a feminist consciousness and to define
women as a coherent social group, who were not required to be subordinates to anyone,
even if this subordination is ordained by God. They also challenged the fact that women
were supposed to be intellectual inferiors and they pushed for educational opportunities
for women. These feminists also spoke out against the limited life options for women
and the double-standards that existed for men and women. The unfair treatment of
women by their husbands was also denounced and the unfairness of marriage was being
pushed to change. Women writers of the Eighteenth century were not the only women
who were fighting for these things but they did their part by entering the male-dominated
writing field (http://www.pinn.net/~sunshine/march99/fyge.html).
The Eighteenth century was a very important time for women. There were more
writers like Hannah More, Anne Finch and at the end of the century, Mary Wollstonecraft
who were making advances for women. Women were also helping to change the lives of
slaves and other women who were being treated unfairly. Women were even ruling
countries. The Eighteenth century was a good time for the women who lived in England
because of all of the advances that were being made on their behalf.
Major writers of the 18th century
Compiled by Aaron Gallagher
From
http://www.accd.edu/sac/english/bailey/18thcent.htm
http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/18th/
Bernard Mandeville
Major Works
( 1670-1733 )
Aesop Dress'd; or, A Collection of Fables ( 1704 ). The Grumbling Hive; or, Knaves
Turned Honest ( 1705 ).
The Virgin Unmask'd; or, Female Dialogues ( 1709 ).
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Publick Benefits ( 1714; 1723 ).
A Letter to Dion ( 1732 ).
Daniel Defoe
Major Works
( 1659-1731 )
An Essay Upon Projects ( 1697 ).
The True-Born Englishman: A Satyr ( 1701 ).
The Shortest Way with Dissenters ( 1702 ).
A Trus Relation of the Apparition of One Mrs Veal ( 1705 ).
Robinson Crusoe ( 1719-20 The Life of Captain Singleton ( 1720 ).
Memoirs of a Cavalier ( 1720 ).
Journal of the Plague Year ( 1722 ).
Colonel Jack ( 1722 ).
The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders ( 1722 ).
A Tour Through Great Britain ( 1724-1727 ).
Roxana ( 1724 ).
Letters.
A brief biography: http://www.incompetech.com/authors/defoe/
Jonathan Swift
Major Works
( 1667-1745 )
A Tale of a Tub ( 1704 ). On Line
Battle of the Books ( 1704 ). On Line
The Abolishing of Christianity ( 1708 ).
Meditation upon a Broomstick ( 1710 ).
Journal to Stella ( 1710-13 ).
Proposal for Correcting... the English Tongue ( 1712 ). On Line
" Cadenus and Vanessa " ( 1713 ).
The Drapier's Letters ( 1724 ).
Gulliver's Travels ( 1726 ). On Line
A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People from Being a Burthen (
1729 ). On Line
" The Day Of Judgment " ( 1731 ). On Line
" Verses on the Death of Dr Swift " ( 1731 ).
Correspondence.
A brief biography: http://incwell.com/Biographies/Swift.html
Joseph Addison
Major Works
( 1672-1719 )
Remarks on Several Parts of Italy ( 1705; 1718 ).
The Tatler ( 1709 - 1711 ). Collaboration with Sir Richard Steele.
The Spectator ( 1711 -1714 ). Collaboration with Sir Richard Steele. Selection On Line
Notes Upon the Twelve Books of Paradise Lost ( 1719 ). Originally from Spectator.
The Guardian ( 1713; published as book, 1714. Collaboration with Sir Richard Steele.
Cato: A Tragedy. ( 1713 ).
Letters.
Sir Richard Steele
Major Works
( 1672-1729 )
The Christian Hero: An Argument ( 1701 ).
The Funeral; Or, Grief a la Mode: A Comedy ( 1701 ).
The Lying Lover ( 1704 ).
The Tender Husband ( 1705 ).
The Tatler ( 1709 - 11 ). Collaboration with Joseph Addison.
The Spectator ( 1711 - 1714 ). Collaboration with Joseph Addison.
The Guardian ( 1713 ).
The Englishman; Being the Sequel to the Guardian ( 1713 - 1715 ).
The Romish Ecclesiastical History of Late Years ( 1714 ).
The Crisis ( 1714 ).
The Conscious Lovers: A Comedy ( 1723 ).
The Correspondence.
Occasional Verse.
John Gay
Major Works
( 1685-1732 )
The Present State of Wit ( 1711 ).
The Shepherd's Week in Six Pastorals ( 1714 ).
Trivia; Or, The Art of Walking the Streets of London ( 1716 ).
Poems on Several Occasions ( 1720 ).
Fables ( 1727 - 38 ).
The Beggar's Opera ( 1728; 1729 ).
The Letters of John Gay.
Alexander Pope
Major Works
( 1688-1744 ) The premier poet of his age.
An Essay on Criticism ( 1711 ).
The Rape of the Lock ( 1712 ).
Windsor Forest ( 1713 ).
Homer's Iliad ( 1715-1720 ).
Poems on Several Occasions ( 1717 ).
The Works of Shakespeare Collated and Corrected ( 1725 ).
Homer's Odyssey ( 1726-26 ).
The Dunciad: An Heroic Poem ( 1728; 1743 ).
An Essay on Man ( 1733-34 ).
An Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot ( 1735 ).
Imitations of Horace ( 1738 ).
Correspondence.
Poems.
Samuel Richardson
Major Works
( 1689-1761 )
Pamela ( 1740 ).
Clarissa Harlowe ( 1748 ).
Sir Charles Grandison ( 1754 ).
Philip Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield ( 1694-1773 )
Major Works
The Art of Pleasing ( 1783 ).
Letters to His Son ( 1774; 1787 ).
Letters to His Friends ( 1777 - 78 ).
Characters of Eminent Personages of His Own Time ( 1777 - 78 ).
Letters.
Some Quotations . A selection of mots from this wit among Lords.
James Thomson
Major Works
( 1700-1748 )
Winter ( 1726 ).
Summer ( 1727 ).
Spring ( 1728 ).
Britannia ( 1729 ).
Memory of Congreve ( 1729 ).
The Seasons ( 1730; 1744; 1746 ).
The Tragedy of Sophonisba ( 1730 ).
Liberty: A Poem ( 1735 - 36 ).
Memory of Talbot ( 1737 ).
Agamemnon ( 1738 ).
Edward and Eleanore ( 1739 ).
Alfred ( 1740 ).
Tancred and Sigismunda ( 1745 ).
The Castle of Indolence: An Allegorical Poem Written in Imitation of Spenser ( 1748 ).
Coriolanus ( 1749 ).
Works.
Letters and Documents.
"On the Death of a Particular Friend"
John Wesley
Major Works
( 1703-1791 )
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns ( 1737 ).
Journal ( 1739 - 1791 ).
Works ( 1771 - 74 ).
Letters.
Henry Fielding
Major Works
( 1707-1754 )
Drama
The Author's Farce ( 1730 ).
The Tragedy of Tragedies; or, The Life and Death of Tom Thumb ( 1731 ).
Pasquin, A Dramatic Satire of the Times ( 1736 ).
Novels
An Apology for the Life of Mrs Shamela Andrews ( 1741 ). A parody of Richardson's
Pamela, which has probably ruined the earlier novel for generations of readers.
Joseph Andrews ( 1742 ).
Jonathan Wild ( 1743 ). Fielding's satire on 'greatness.'
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling ( 1749 ).
Amelia ( 1752 ).
A Journey from this World to the Next ( 1749 ).
The Covent Garden Journal ( 1752 ).
Journal of a Voyage to Lisbon ( 1755 ).
Samuel Johnson
Major Works
( 1709-1784 )
London: A Poem ( 1738 ). Modelled after Juvenal's Satire III.
An Account of the Life of Mr. Richard Savage ( 1744 ).
The Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language ( 1747 ).
Irene: A Tragedy ( 1749 ).
The Vanity of Human Wishes ( 1749; 1755 ). Modelled after Juvenal's Satire X. 1749 text
; 1755 text
The Rambler ( 1750-52; Book publication in six volumes, 1752 ).
A Dictionary of the English Language ( 1755; 1773 ).
Rasselas ( 1759 ).
The Idler ( 1758-60; Book publication in two volumes, 1761 ).
The Plays of Shakespeare ( 1765; 1778 ).
A Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland ( 1775 ).
Prefaces Biographical and Critical to the Works of the English Poets ( 1770-81 ).
Letters.
David Hume
Major Works
( 1711-1777 )
A Treatise of Human Nature ( 1739; 1740 ).
An Abstract of a Treatise of Human Nature ( 1740 ).
An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding ( 1748 ).
An Inquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals ( 1751 ).
Four Dissertations ( 1757 )
 The Natural History of Religion
 Of the Passions
 Of Tragedy
 Of the Standard of Taste
History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution in 1688
Autobiography: My Own Life ( 1777 ).
Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion ( 1779 ).
Letters.
New Letters.
Laurence Sterne
Major Works
( 1713-1768 )
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gent. ( 1759-67 ).
Sermons of Mr Yorick ( 1760-69 ).
A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy ( 1768 ).
Letters to Eliza ( 1775 ).
Thomas Gray
Major Works
( 1716-1771 )
Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College ( 1747 ).
Elegy Written ina Country Churchyard ( 1751 ).
Odes ( 1757 ).
Poems ( 1768 ).
Correspondence.
Poetical Works.
Horace Walpole
Major Works
( 1717-1797 )
A Catalogue of the Royal and Noble Authors of England ( 1758; 1787 ).
Anecdotes of Painting in England ( 1762 - 71; 1782 ).
The Castle of Otranto ( 1765 ).
Historic Doubts on Richard III ( 1768 ).
The Mysterious Mother ( 1768 ).
A Selection of the Letters of Horace Walpole. Two Volumes.
Correspondence.
William Collins
Major Works
( 1721-1759 )
Persian Eclogues ( 1742 ).
Verses on Hanmer's Shakespeare ( 1743 ).
Dirge in Cymbeline ( 1744 ).
Odes on Several Descriptive and Allegoric Subjects ( 1747 ).
Ode on the Popular Superstitions of the Highlands of Scotland ( 1788 ).
Poetical Works.
Tobias Smollett
Major Works
( 1721-1771 )
" The Tears of Scotland " ( 1746 ).
The Adventures of Roderick Random ( 1748 ).
Gil Blas. Translation of LeSage's novel. ( 1749 ).
The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle ( 1751 ).
The Adventures of Ferdinand, Count Fathom ( 1753 ).
Don Quixote. Translation of Cervantes' novel. ( 1755 ).
The Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves ( 1760 ).
Travels through France and Italy ( 1766 ).
The History and Adventures of an Atom ( 1769 ).
The Expedition of Humphrey Clinker ( 1771 ).
Letters.
Christopher Smart
Major Works
( 1722-1771 )
Poems on Several Occasions ( 1752 ).
The Hilliad: An Epic Poem ( 1753 ).
A Song to David ( 1763 ).
Horace Translated into Verse ( 1767 ).
Jubilate Agno ( Written before 1763 but first published as Rejoice in the Lamb in 1939 ).
Edmund Burke
Major Works
( 1729-1797 )
A Vindication of Natural Society ( 1756; 1757 ).
A Philosophical Enquiry into the Sublime and Beautiful ( 1757; 1759 ).
Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents ( 1770 ).
Speeches on America ( 1774 - 75 ).
Reflections on the Revolution in France ( 1790
A Letter to a Member of the National Assembly ( 1791 ).
An Appeal from the New to the Old Whigs ( 1791 ).
A Letter to a Noble Lord ( 1796 ).
Two Letters on the Proposals for Peace with the Regicide Directory of France ( 1796 ).
Correspondence.
Oliver Goldsmith
Major Works
( 1730-1774 )
The Citizen of the World ( 1760-61 ).
The Traveler ( 1764 ).
The Vicar of Wakefield ( 1766 ).
The Deserted Village ( 1770 ).
The Life of Richard Nash ( 1762 ). She Stoops to Conquer ( 1773 ).
Collected Letters.
William Cowper
Major Works
( 1731-1800 )
Olney Hymns ( 1779
Poems ( 1782 ).
"John Gilpin's Ride" ( 1782 ). First published anonymously.
Poems, Volume II ( 1785 ). Poems ( 1786; 1800 ).
The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer, Translated into Blank Verse ( 1791 ).
Poems Translated from the French of Madame Guion ( 1801 ).
Autobiography ( 1816; 1835 ).
Correspondence.
Poetical Works.
Two Poems
A Selection of Hymns
"The Colubriad".
"The Castaway".
Edward Gibbon
Major Works
( 1737-1794 )
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire ( 1776 - 88 ). I; II; III; IV; V;
VI.
Miscellaneous Works ( 1796 ).
Memoirs.
Letters.
Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Major Works
The Rivals ( 1775 ).
The Critic ( 1781 ).
A Trip to Scarborough ( 1781 ).
The School for Scandal ( 1783 ).
The Duenna ( 1783 ).
Pizarro ( 1799 ).
Speeches ( 1816 ).
Letters.
( 1751-1816 )
Fanny Burney
Major Works
( 1752-1840 )
Evelina, or, A Young Lady's Entrance into the World ( 1778 ).
Cecilia, or, Memoirs of an Heiress ( 1782 ).
Camilla, or, A Picture of Youth ( 1796 ).
The Wanderer, or, Female Difficulties ( 1814 ).
The Diary and Letters of Madame d'Arblay ( 1842-46 )
William Godwin
Major Works
( 1756-1836 )
Imogen ( 1784 ).
The Principles of Political Justice ( 1793; 1796 ).
The Adventures of Caleb Williams ( 1794 ).
The Enquirer ( 1797 ).
Memoirs of the Author of A Vindication of the Rights of Women (Mary Wollstonecraft) (
1798 ).
St. Leon ( 1799 ).
Fleetwood ( 1805 ).
Fables ( 1805 ).
Essay on Sepulchres ( 1809 ).
Mandeville ( 1817 ).
Of Population ( 1820 ).
Commonwealth of England ( 1824 ).
Cloudesley ( 1830 ).
Thoughts on Man ( 1830 ).
Deloraine ( 1833 ).
Ann Radcliffe
Major Works
( 1764-1823 )
The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne: A Highland Story ( 1789 ).
A Sicilian Romance ( 1790 ).
A Romance of the Forest ( 1791 ).
The Mysteries of Udolpho: A Romance ( 1794 ).
The Italian: or, The Confessional of the Black Penitents ( 1797 ).
A Journey Through Holland and the Western Frontier of Germany ( 1795 ).
Gaston de Blondeville ( 1826 ).
URL LISTINGS
http://www.lib.msu.edu/dbases/kw/history.htm
This web site provides a list of electronic resources in history at Michigan State
University, including databases, electronic journals and research guides.
http://sohu.snap.com/directory/category/0.16,-1647,00.html
This web site provides a list of categories and web pages that focus on studies in
the eighteenth century.
http://sg.yahoo.com/Arts/Humanities/History/Browse_By_Time_Period/18th_Century
This web site also provides a listing of pages that focus on studies in the
eighteenth century, some of which are the same as those listed in the above urls.
http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/rulib/socsci/hist/amtext.htm
From this web site, one can locate American and British history resources on the
internet arranged by reference, history gateways and text sites, titles by historic period,
etc. Looking under the eighteenth century electronic title, one can find a list of authors
and titles.
http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~scoggins/316british/
This web site offers links to pages that are maintained by professor Dene
Scoggins and includes some general information useful to the historical overview of
England in the eighteenth century.
http://history1700s.miningco.com/msub27.htm?pid=2765&cob=home
This web site from About.com, set up by Rick Brainard, provides links to pages
that discuss a variety of eighteenth century literary authors, genres, works, resources, and
references.
http://eng.hss.cmu.edu/18th/
This web page is a collection of works from the eighteenth century shared from
the perspective of literary and cultural studies and contains some modern criticism of
these works.
http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/18th/history.html
This web page lists history resources of the eighteenth century. It is edited by
Jack Lynch and is a part of a larger site of eighteenth century resources on the Internet.
http://www.english.upenn.edu/!jlynch/Chron/index.html
This site contains links, categorized by yearly dates in chronological order from
1660 to 1800, to web pages that list information about and publications of works in the
areas of literature; theater; art; music; science, technology and medicine; politics and law;
philosophy and theology; milestones; and miscellaneous other news.
http://accd.edu/sac/english/bailey/18thcent.htm
This site contains a list of links to pages that list the works of many eighteenth
century authors. There are pictures of the authors and on-line copies of some of their
works.
GENERAL RESOURCE MATERIALS
Briggs, Asa. How They Lived. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1969.
This book contains collections of writings that focus on the experiences of the
common people of the 18th century. Some of the topics included are: birth and death,
manners and styles, religion, pursuit of the arts and sciences, and politics in a changing
society.
Plumb, J.H. England in the Eighteenth Century. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin
Books Ltd, 1963.
This book, divided into three sections, focuses on three major statesmen of the
18th century who made significant impressions on society. Plumb discusses several facets
of society in light of their contributions.
---. In the Light of History. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1973.
This book is divided into three sections. The first section discusses such topics as
the development of the novel, reason and unreason, attitudes of the British toward the
American Revolution, and slavery to name a few. The other two sections deal with
issues related to women and children and the Victorian era.
A Celebration of Women Writers: Anne Finch, Countess of Winchelsea. 31 August,
1999.
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/mmbt/www/women/finch/finchRomantic Chronology. 31 August, 1999
http://humantitas.uscb.edu.projects/pack/rom-chrono/chrono2a.htm
Sunshine for Women: Sarah Fyge Field Egerton. 31 August1999.
http://www.pinn.net/~sunshine/march99/fyge.html
http://www.accd.edu/sac/english/bailey/18thcent.htm
http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/18th/