Three Score Years and Ten: or More?: A Study of Cult Interest in People of Extraordinary Age and its Origins in the Seventeenth to Nineteenth

Three Score Years and Ten: Or More? delves into the enduring fascination with individuals who live beyond 100 years. The intrigue centres not only on the accomplishment itself but also on the mysteries of how and why these people achieve such remarkable longevity.
This research shifts its focus from contemporary centenarians, whose ages can be more reliably verified due to improved record-keeping, to an earlier era marked by less clear historical records. It investigates the genesis of this interest and the emergence of what could be termed a 'cult of centenarianism.' During this period, claims of extreme old age sparked debates between believers and sceptics, creating a cultural divide.
The book also examines the significant role media played in this phenomenon. The portrayal and promotion of centenarians by the media of the time laid the groundwork for themes explored in this book, contributing to the ongoing public intrigue surrounding individuals of advanced age.

Trevor Cooper has always worked in higher education as a lecturer and manager, more recently for the Open University. His interests are in local and family history, which is where this research has arisen.