The Cambridge Companion to British Literature of the French Revolution in the 1790s

The French Revolution ignited the biggest debate on politics and society in Britain since the Civil War 150 years earlier. The public controversy lasted from the initial, positive reaction to French events in 1789 to the outlawing of the radical societies in 1799. This Cambridge Companion highlights the energy, variety and inventiveness of the literature written in response to events in France and the political reaction at home. It contains thirteen specially commissioned essays by an international team of historians and literary scholars, a chronology of events and publications, and an extensive guide to further reading. Six essays concentrate on the principal writers of the Revolution controversy: Burke, Paine, Godwin and Wollstonecraft. Others deal with popular radical culture, counter-revolutionary culture, the distinctive contribution of women writers, novels of opinion, drama, and poetry. This volume will serve as a comprehensive yet accessible reference work for students, advanced researchers and scholars.

Chronology; Preface; 1. The political context H. T. Dickinson; 2. Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France David Bromwich; 3. Paine, Rights of Man Mark Philp; 4. Burke and Paine: contrasts David Duff; 5. Wollstonecraft, Vindications and Historical and Moral View of the French Revolution Jane Rendall; 6. Godwin, Political Justice Pamela Clemit; 7. Wollstonecraft and Godwin: dialogues Nancy E. Johnson; 8. Popular radical culture Jon Mee; 9. Counter-revolutionary culture Kevin Gilmartin; 10. Women's voices Gina Luria Walker; 11. Novels of opinion M. O. Grenby; 12. Revolutionary drama Gillian Russell; 13. Politics and poetry Simon Bainbridge; Guide to further reading; Index.

This Companion highlights the energy, variety and inventiveness of the literature written in response to events in France and the political reaction at home, most famously by Burke, Paine, Godwin and Wollstonecraft. It contains specially commissioned essays, a chronology of events and publications, and an extensive guide to further reading.

Pamela Clemit is Professor of English Studies at Durham University.