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the experience of reading in Britain, from 1450 to 1945...

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
 
 
 
 

Record Number: 24360


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

Robert Southey to Charles Collins, 30 October -7 November 1793: 'In this interval however my baggage has arrived & no poor devil at the foot of the gallows was more overjoyd at a reprieve than I was at the recovery. I have begun to transcribe Joan of Arc — read Enfield History of Philosophy, Gillies History of Greece V.2nd & begun Adam Smith since my return so you see Bristol does not make me idle. I may not form a taste here but I can increase a stock of useful knowledge and you know the prettiest nosegays are formed of various flowers.

Century:

1700-1799

Date:

Until: 25 Nov 1793

Country:

England

Time

n/a

Place:

city: Bristol

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown


Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Robert Southey

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Male

Date of Birth:

12 Aug 1774

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

writer

Religion:

n/a

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

England

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a


Additional Comments:

n/a



Text Being Read:

Author:

Adam Smith

Title:

An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations

Genre:

Philosophy

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

2 vols

Provenance

borrowed (public library)
from Bristol Library Society


Source Information:

Record ID:

24360

Source - Manuscript:

Other

Information:

"The Collected Letters of Robert Southey," Romantic Circles Electronic Edition, Letter 63. http://www.rc.umd.edu/editions/southey_letters. Accessed 24 April 2009.

Additional Information:

n/a

Citation:

"The Collected Letters of Robert Southey," Romantic Circles Electronic Edition, Letter 63. http://www.rc.umd.edu/editions/southey_letters. Accessed 24 April 2009. , http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=24360, accessed: 21 December 2024


Additional Comments:

Source eds note: "Southey borrowed volume one from the Bristol Library Society between 4 and 18 November 1793 and volume two between 18 and 25 November 1793".

   
   
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