The Romantic period in British culture was an era of extraordinarily diverse and original achievements in literature and arts, accomplished in a time of great political and social upheaval. This book presents the aesthetic achievements of great literary figures, alongside their counterparts in the field of art, music, design, science, and more.

Introduction: A Romantic Age Companion ; PART I: MAJOR ESSAYS ; I. TRANSFORMING POLITY AND NATION ; Revolution ; War ; Democracy ; Women ; Empire ; Slavery ; Policing ; Law ; Utopianism ; II. REORDERING SOCIAL AND PRIVATE WORLDS ; Religion ; Sensibility ; Poverty ; Domesticity ; Industrialization ; Class ; Land ; Education ; Medicine ; III. CULTURE, CONSUMPTION, AND THE ARTS ; Consumerism ; Viewing ; Publishing ; Prints ; Popular Culture ; Theatre ; Design ; Music ; Painting ; Architecture ; Poetry ; Prose ; Novels ; IV. EMERGING KNOWLEDGES ; Enlightenment ; Political Economy ; Natural Philosophy (Science) ; Antiquarianism (Popular) ; Mythology ; Exploration ; History ; Psychology ; Language ; Literary Theory ; Index to Part I ; PART II: ALPHABETICALLY-ORDERED SHORTER ENTRIES

`admirably concise and lucid overviews of large and complex topics ... Any of these might be put on student reading lists with advantage - and indeed the Emerging Knowledges section as a whole provides an overview of the intellectual life of the period not easily paralleled elsewhere ... The volume is enhanced by over a hundred black-and-white illustrations, of very high quality - one of the book's most immediately engaging features ... good value for money.' Joanna Innes, EHR, April 2001 `a fitting culmination to the recent trend towards multidisciplinarity in Romantic period studies ... this critical companion avoids offering a reductive definition of Romantic cultural practice, and thus the volume might me considered the first post-Romanticist scholarly companion for the Romantic age.' Alex Benchimol, Romantic Circles Reviews, 2000 `this volume marks a key moment in the struggle to redefine our understanding of the culture of the Romantic age.' Alex Benchimol, Romantic Circles Reviews, 2000. `the best of these biographical entries will surely serve as models for the major revisions now underway for the New Dictionary of National Biography ... impressive breadth of coverage contained in Part Two.' Alex Benchimol, Romantic Circles Revs `I am confident that In Oxford Companion to the Romantic Age will quickly establish itself as the premier reference source of its kind in the field ... the strategic use of over 100 illustrations throughout this generally handsome volume makes it a pleasure to simply browse through ... unprecedented wealth of scholarly expertise on the Romantic period.' Alex Benchimol, Romantic Circles Revs `The new volume is ... rooted in the very period it covers, not merely by virtue of its contents, but also in its structural principles and tone.' Fiona Stafford, Review of English Studies `This book is a mine of information on minor figures ... For editors of Romantic texts, the new Oxford Companion will surely prove invaluable.' Fiona Stafford, Review of English Studies `This is not only an invaluable source of information on a dazzling range of topics, but also a volume bristling with ideas - and ideals. There is an explicitly radical, polemical edge to many of the contributions, and if these essays and entries provoke the active engagement of the reader rather than merely delivering knowledge with an air of unchallengeable authority, they are more than upholding the spirit of the age that is under debate.' Fiona Stafford, Review of English Studies `A book to be read for an introduction to the period as well as consulted for answers to questions.' Choice `Review from previous edition 'A book to be read for an introduction to the period as well as consulted for answers to questions.' ' Choice

Widely and enthusiastically reviewed. The romantic age is one of the most studied periods in British literature and history New original essays on major topics from top international scholars. Structure serves diverse uses for students and scholars, combining substantial essays with a handy reference section. Unique interdisciplinary focus covering all facets of the arts and cultural endeavour of the period. 110 illustrations (including many rare images) integrated with text.

Widely and enthusiastically reviewed. The romantic age is one of the most studied periods in British literature and history New original essays on major topics from top international scholars. Structure serves diverse uses for students and scholars, combining substantial essays with a handy reference section. Unique interdisciplinary focus covering all facets of the arts and cultural endeavour of the period. 110 illustrations (including many rare images) integrated with text.