Literary philanthropy in the British Romantic period (1792-1833)
Publication Date
July 28, 2026
Creator
Johnny Cammish
Abstract
This thesis explores the concept of literary philanthropy, defining it as a concept using the terminology of Pierre Bourdieu’s sociological theories of capital. The thesis applies this concept to a selection of writings produced in Britain in the Romantic period. It identifies and analyses three forms of literary philanthropy: networked literary philanthropy, political literary philanthropy, and posthumous literary philanthropy. The thesis argues that these three concepts, though not exhaustive, suggest the different ways in which literature was used to foster philanthropic endeavours within the Romantic period. They are illustrated via case studies of works by Joanna Baillie, Penelope Blencowe, James Montgomery, and Elizabeth Heyrick, and on the relationship between Robert Southey and Henry Kirke White.
My analysis consists of an introduction, three chapters and a conclusion. The introduction distinguishes philanthropy from terms often used synonymously such as ‘charity’ and draws on Bourdieu’s Forms of Capital to argue for the existence of three different types of literary philanthropy in the Romantic period. Three chapters then discuss each of these three types. Chapter 1 focuses on networked literary philanthropy using case studies of Joanna Baillie’s A Collection of Poems, Chiefly Manuscript and Penelope Blencowe’s The Casket to explore how extensive social and literary networks were mobilised to alleviate the poverty of specific individuals. Chapter 2 considers political literary philanthropy via case studies of James Montgomery’s The Chimney-Sweeper’s Friend and Climbing-Boy’s Album and Elizabeth Heyrick and Susannah Watt’s The Humming Bird. These case studies examine the use of literature as a form of philanthropy to promote and further specific targeted political causes. Chapter 3 considers posthumous literary philanthropy via a case study of Robert Southey’s editions of The Remains of Henry Kirke White. It considers the reputational rescue of a recently deceased poet, preserving the poet’s legacy while providing financial assistance to the deceased’s family.
My conclusion summarises the findings of chapters 1-3 and argues that whilst the immediate impact of my chosen texts was variable, my case studies reveal that literary philanthropy could be a potent force for enacting or preventing change and demonstrates the power literature had during the Romantic period. The conclusion also suggests potential future areas of research in the field. Two Appendices provide a searchable record of the many authors and subscribers who contributed to Baillie’s A Collection and Blencowe’s The Casket (discussed in Chapter 1). These bring together and facilitate the analysis of a large dataset containing information about those who either contributed to or had the means to purchase two works with avowedly philanthropic aims.
Item Type
ethesis
Thesis Type
PhD
Supervisors
Rounce, Adam
Keywords
Subjects (LC)
Associated Schools / Departments
UoN Repository URI
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Appendix 1 - A Collection of Poems Chiefly Mansucript.xlsx
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