City Research Online

'Enlarging the Text': a cultural history of William Ewart Gladstone's library and reading

Windscheffel, R. (2003). 'Enlarging the Text': a cultural history of William Ewart Gladstone's library and reading. (Unpublished Doctoral thesis, University of Liverpool)

Abstract

and thematically. It is interdisciplinary in scope and methodology. It is based primarily on study of Gladstone’s books and marginalia (preserved at Hawarden, North Wales) and integrates his reading and library ownership securely into our understanding of his life and career. ‘Enlarging the Text’, is a late quotation from Gladstone particularly appropriate to the thrust of the thesis. By it he referred to the persistent human desire to acquire and transmit knowledge. This study analyses
Gladstone’s personal efforts to achieve this through the collection, use and eventual ‘public’ endowment of a library. The phrase refers both to this endeavour and the concomitant broadening of Gladstone’s mind, which I argue accompanied it. The thesis is divided into three sections: ‘Making the Reader’ (Chapters 1-3), ‘Transforming the Reader’ (Chapters 4-5) and ‘Enlarging the Text’ (Chapters 6-7).

Publication Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Additional Information: Submitted as 'Ruth Clayton'
Publisher Keywords: W.E. Gladstone; St Deiniol's Library; Gladstone's Library; Library History; History of Reading; Liberalism; Liberal Anglicanism
Subjects: D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain
Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > Z719 Libraries (General)
Departments: Professional Services > Learning, Enhancement and Development
[thumbnail of Windscheffel, Ruth (redacted).pdf]
Preview
Text - Accepted Version
Download (2MB) | Preview

Export

Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics

Actions (login required)

Admin Login Admin Login