Encyclopedia of the Romantic Era, 1760–1850 - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 157958361X ISBN 13: 9781579583613

Publisher: Routledge, 2003

Synopsis

In 850 analytical articles, this two-volume set explores the developments that influenced the profound changes in thought and sensibility during the second half of the eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century. The Encyclopedia provides readers with a clear, detailed, and accurate reference source on the literature, thought, music, and art of the period, demonstrating the rich interplay of international influences and cross-currents at work; and to explore the many issues raised by the very concepts of Romantic and Romanticism.

About this title

About the Author:

Christopher John Murray is a writer and editor in the fields of cultural and intellectual history. His previous edited publications include the Encyclopedia of Literary Critics and Criticism (Fitzroy Dearborn 1999) and the two-volume Key Writers on Art (Routledge 2002). His is also editor of the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Modern French Thought, to be published by Routledge in 2004.

From Booklist:

A superb set on one of the most important topics in Western thought and art offers 770 contributed articles on individuals; specific works of literature, art, and music; national developments in cultural areas; and themes, concepts, and events that are significant to the Romantic era. The editor's aim was to look at the time period as broadly as possible to see the changes in thought, philosophy, art, literature, and politics. The encyclopedia does not try to define what Romanticism was but instead to show how the movement manifested itself throughout all aspects of society, culture, and politics. This will be a drawback to a reader looking for a neat definition, but it allows the encyclopedia to cover diverse topics and people, such as Napoleon, Lord Byron, the French Revolution, landscape design, and the symphony.

The bulk of the entries are about individuals, including major writers, poets, artists, and musicians from Western Europe, Great Britain, and America. Focusing on what the person did during this period that contributed to or was influenced by the Romantic movement, biographical articles run one to two pages in length and conclude with a one-paragraph biography, a short list of major works, and a selected bibliography of secondary articles and books. A small number of articles are on individual works of literature, music, or art, chosen because they are representative of the period or because they are historically important. Probably the most valuable articles are the broad surveys that cover such topics as American Romanticism, drama, fiction, German idealism, literary criticism, and science. All entries have numerous cross-references that help the reader find related topics. The set opens with an alphabetical list of entries and then a list of entries by subject and by national developments. There is also a comprehensive index at the end of volume 2.

Through an interdisciplinary approach to the Romantic era, the encyclopedia gives students or general readers an excellent introduction to the movement while allowing them to see its full scope. Highly recommended for all academic and large public libraries. RBB
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About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 157958361X
• ISBN 13: 9781579583613
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 1336
• Editor: Murray Christopher John