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

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
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Record Number: 11476


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

'I devoured poetry and nothing but poetry until I became insensible to poetry. Take an example; I happened upon some fat volumes of Campbell's "British Poets", the complete works of from four to eight poets in each volume which cost me 6d. apiece. They had shabby worn leather bindings, and the type was on the small side and closely set. But I ploughed through them, doggedly, as if reading for a bet, or an imposed task. One volume I remember contained the poetical works of Samuel Daniel, Browne, Giles and Phineas Fletcher, Ben Jonson, Drummond (of Ha[w]thornden), John Donne, and some more minor ones. Another contained along with "also rans" Cowley, Milton and "Hudibras" Butler. And, I repeat, I ploughed through them with a stout heart, but little sense, and a dwindling understanding.'

Century:

1850-1899

Date:

Between 21 Aug 1879 and 21 Aug 1897

Country:

England

Time

n/a

Place:

city: London

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:

Thomas A. Jackson

Age:

Child (0-17)

Gender:

Male

Date of Birth:

21 Aug 1879

Socio-Economic Group:

Clerk / tradesman / artisan / smallholder

Occupation:

son of master craftsman, reading boy in printers

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:

Samuel Butler

Title:

[poems complete works]

Genre:

Poetry

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

Campbell's British Poets series, probably secondhand

Provenance

owned


Source Information:

Record ID:

11476

Source:

Print

Author:

T.A. Jackson

Editor:

n/a

Title:

Solo Trumpet: Some memories of Socialist agitation and propaganda

Place of Publication:

London

Date of Publication:

1953

Vol:

n/a

Page:

24

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

T.A. Jackson, Solo Trumpet: Some memories of Socialist agitation and propaganda (London, 1953), p. 24, http://can-red-lec.library.dal.ca/Arts/RED/record_details.php?id=11476, accessed: 28 March 2024


Additional Comments:

None

   
   
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