Britain in the Age of Revolution, 1760-1815

Name: Britain in the Age of Revolution, 1760-1815
Start: 2021-09-21T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2021-09-21T01:00:00-05:00
Location: Britain in the Age of Revolution, 1760-1815

Sep 21, 2021

Between 1760 and 1815, Britons experienced, either directly or indirectly, the Industrial Revolution, the American and French Revolutions, and the Napoleonic Wars. This turbulent period also saw the emergence of Romanticism in the arts, a strong anti-slavery movement, and modern feminism. This seminar focuses on the responses of five significant Britons to these transformations

For the Fall 2021 term, we're offering a mix of virtual and in-person classes. Although we are still primarily virtual, you will find a smaller selection of in-person seminars in the schedule. For more information about the Newberry’s virtual seminars, including a Zoom tutorial, please see our Virtual Seminars FAQ page. Registration opens on September 1st at 9am (Central time). Registration will take place through our online platform, Learning Stream.

Please note: classes that are currently scheduled to take place in the building may switch to virtual in accordance with public health and safety guidelines. Additionally, masks are required for all attendees, regardless of vaccination status. We will email participants with any changes the week before seminars begin.

Seminar Description

Between 1760 and 1815, Britons experienced, either directly or indirectly, the Industrial Revolution, the American and French Revolutions, and the Napoleonic Wars. This turbulent period also saw the emergence of Romanticism in the arts, a strong anti-slavery movement, and modern feminism. This seminar will focus on the responses of five significant Britons to these political and social transformations: Thomas Paine, Mary Wollstonecraft, Edmund Burke, William Blake, and Olaudah Equiano.

Eight sessions. Registration – $280

Frank Biletz received his PhD in history from the University of Chicago, with a primary specialization in modern British and Irish history. He is currently an adjunct instructor of history at Loyola University Chicago. He has taught seminars at the Newberry since 1994.

Materials List

Required:

Robert J. Allison (editor), The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano Written by Himself, with Related Documents. Third edition. Boston and New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016. ISBN# 978-1319048914.
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. ISBN# 019-2839780. Alternative editions may also be used.
Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin, A Short Residence in Sweden and Memoirs of The Author of “The Rights of Women.” New York and London: Penguin Books, 1987. ISBN# 014-0432698.

First Reading:

Although there is no specific reading requirement for the first class, the instructor recommends that participants get a head start in reading the Burke, Equiano, and Wollstonecraft books.