British Culture - User contributions [en]

Walter Scott

2011-01-03T18:13:19Z

Rajidas: /* Sources */

Walter Scott was a highly influential Scottish novelist and poet. He was born in Edinburgh in 1771 and died in Abbotsford in 1832.

== Life and Work ==

Though he is more readily remembered as a novelist, Scott began his career as a writer by publishing ballads in verse. While his early works were merely poetic adaptations of other authors’ works, the publication of his first own romances such as ''The Border Minstrelsy'' (1802-1803), ''The Lay of the Last Minstrel'' (1805) or ''Marmion'' (1808) quickly led him to become the most popular author of his time. In the following years, he turned his attention to writing historic novels. With masterpieces such as ''Waverly'' (1814) or ''Ivanhoe'' (1819), which would become classics of their kind, Scott ultimately made a name for himself.

Apart from pursuing a career as a writer, Scott also worked as an attorney, enrolled as a volunteer cavalryman during the Napoleonic Wars , and wrote for the ''Edinburgh Review''.
As a result of some misguided investments and the general financial collapse of 1826, however, Scott spent the later part of his life trying to repay large debts. Although he continued writing, none of his later work was as highly acclaimed as his former.

== Significance for 19th century British culture ==

As Scott often drew upon the oral tradition of his relatives to serve as the basis for his literary works, many are not only set in Scotland or England but also address fairly recent historical events. Thereby, he succeeded in creating a familiarity of time and place for his readers, which was very well received. Furthermore, Scott chose to place many of his literary heroes between two social classes or differing cultures with the intention of fostering communication between them and diminishing existing animosities.

== Sources ==

Encyclopaedia Britannica: ''George Bernard Shaw''. Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc: 1976.

Magnusson, Magnus (Ed): ''Chambers Biographical Dictionary.'' 5th ed. Edinburgh: W&R Chambers, 1990.

[[Category:Expansion]]

Walter Scott

2011-01-03T18:13:06Z

Rajidas:

Walter Scott

2011-01-03T18:11:45Z

Rajidas: /* Significance for 19th century British culture */

Walter Scott

2011-01-03T18:10:55Z

Rajidas: /* Life and Work */

Walter Scott was a highly influential Scottish novelist and poet. He was born in Edinburgh in 1771 and died in Abbotsford in 1832.

== Life and Work ==

Though he is more readily remembered as a novelist, Scott began his career as a writer by publishing ballads in verse. While his early works were merely poetic adaptations of other authors’ works, the publication of his first own romances such as ''The Border Minstrelsy'' (1802-1803), ''The Lay of the Last Minstrel'' (1805) or ''Marmion'' (1808) quickly led him to become the most popular author of his time. In the following years, he turned his attention to writing historic novels. With masterpieces such as ''Waverly'' (1814) or ''Ivanhoe'' (1819), which would become classics of their kind, Scott ultimately made a name for himself.

Apart from pursuing a career as a writer, Scott also worked as an attorney, enrolled as a volunteer cavalryman during the Napoleonic Wars , and wrote for the ''Edinburgh Review''.
As a result of some misguided investments and the general financial collapse of 1826, however, Scott spent the later part of his life trying to repay large debts. Although he continued writing, none of his later work was as highly acclaimed as his former.

== Significance for 19th century British culture ==

As Scott often drew upon the oral tradition of his relatives to serve as the basis for his literary works, many of which are not only set in Scotland or England but also address fairly recent historical events. Thereby, he succeeded in creating a familiarity of time and place for his readers, which was very well received. Furthermore, Scott chose to place many of his literary heroes between two social classes or differing cultures with the intention of fostering communication between them and diminishing existing animosities.

[[Category:Expansion]]

Walter Scott

2011-01-03T18:10:21Z

Rajidas:

Walter Scott was a highly influential Scottish novelist and poet. He was born in Edinburgh in 1771 and died in Abbotsford in 1832.

== Life and Work ==

Though he is more readily remembered as a novelist, Scott began his career as a writer by publishing ballads in verse. While his early works were merely poetic adaptations of other authors’ works, the publication of his first own romances such as ''The Border Minstrelsy'' (1802-1803), ''The Lay of the Last Minstrel'' (1805) or ''Marmion'' (1808) quickly led him to become the most popular author of his time. In the following years, he turned his attention to writing historic novels. With masterpieces such as ''Waverly'' (1814) or ''Ivanhoe'' (1819), which would become classics of their kind, Scott ultimately made a name for himself.

Apart from pursuing a career as a writer, Scott also worked as an attorney, enrolled as a volunteer cavalryman during the Napoleonic Wars , and wrote for the ''Edinburgh Review''.
As a result of some misguided investments and the general financial collapse of 1826, however, Scot spent the later part of his life trying to repay large debts. Although he continued writing, none of his later work was as highly acclaimed as his former.

== Significance for 19th century British culture ==

As Scott often drew upon the oral tradition of his relatives to serve as the basis for his literary works, many of which are not only set in Scotland or England but also address fairly recent historical events. Thereby, he succeeded in creating a familiarity of time and place for his readers, which was very well received. Furthermore, Scott chose to place many of his literary heroes between two social classes or differing cultures with the intention of fostering communication between them and diminishing existing animosities.

[[Category:Expansion]]

Walter Scott

2011-01-03T14:28:21Z

Rajidas:

1771-1832. Scottish writer . (work in progress...)

[[Category:Expansion]]

George Bernard Shaw

2010-12-11T11:51:44Z

Rajidas:

George Bernard Shaw was a highly influential 19th century dramatist, novelist, and music critic. He was born in Dublin in 1856 and died in Hertfordshire in 1950.

== Life ==

Having spent a somewhat unfulfilled youth in Ireland, Shaw moved to London in 1876. He had started writing a few years earlier, but was unable to have any of his first five novels published.
In 1884, however, he joined the ''Fabian Society'', for which he wrote many well-known socialist essays. Furthermore, he began to make a name for himself by writing music critiques for ''Star Magazine'' in 1888, as well as drama critiques for ''Saturday Review'' in 1895. Towards the turn of the century, he then began to focus more intently on writing plays, with which he ultimately made his name. In turn, this led to his earlier works becoming more widely known, too.

Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925.

== Significance for 19th century British culture ==

Though he hardly ever addressed them explicitly, Shaw indubitably touches upon many cultural issues of the 19th century in his plays. He reflects upon topics such as socialism, class struggle, family structures, prostitution, and vaccination. As his publications cover such a wide variety of subject matter and a lengthy time span, he is said to have influenced the mentality of several generations.

Some of his best-known works:

''Mrs Warren’s Profession'' (1898)

''Arms and the Man'' (1898)

''Man and Superman'' (1903)

''Pygmalion'' (1916)

''The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to Socialism and Capitalism'' (1928)

== Sources ==

Encyclopaedia Britannica: ''George Bernard Shaw''. Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc: 1976

Magnusson, Magnus (Ed): ''Chambers Biographical Dictionary.'' 5th ed. Edinburgh: W&R Chambers Ltd, 1990

George Bernard Shaw

2010-12-11T11:51:07Z

Rajidas:

George Bernard Shaw was a highly influential 19th century dramatist, novelist, and music critic. He was born in Dublin in 1856 and died in Hertfordshire in 1950.

== Life ==

Having spent a somewhat unfulfilled youth in Ireland, Shaw moved to London in 1876. He had started writing a few years earlier, but was unable to have any of his first five novels published.
In 1884, however, he joined the ''Fabian Society'', for which he wrote many well-known socialist essays. Furthermore, he began to make a name for himself by writing music critiques for ''Star Magazine'' in 1888, as well as drama critiques for ''Saturday Review'' in 1895. Towards the turn of the century, he then began to focus more intently on writing plays, with which he ultimately made his name. In turn, this led to his earlier works becoming more widely known, too.

Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925.

== Significance for 19th century British culture ==

Though he hardly ever addressed them explicitly, Shaw indubitably touches upon many cultural issues of the 19th century in his plays. He reflects upon topics such as socialism, class struggle, family structures, prostitution, and vaccination. As his publications cover such a wide variety of subject matter and a lengthy time span, he is said to have influenced the mentality of several generations.

Some of his best-known works:

''Mrs Warren’s Profession'' (1898)
''Arms and the Man'' (1898)
''Man and Superman'' (1903)
''Pygmalion'' (1916)
''The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to Socialism and Capitalism'' (1928)

== Sources ==

Encyclopaedia Britannica: ''George Bernard Shaw''. Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc: 1976

Magnusson, Magnus (Ed): ''Chambers Biographical Dictionary.'' 5th ed. Edinburgh: W&R Chambers Ltd, 1990

George Bernard Shaw

2010-12-11T11:50:37Z

Rajidas:

George Bernard Shaw was a highly influential 19th century dramatist, novelist, and music critic. He was born in Dublin in 1856 and died in Hertfordshire in 1950.

== Life ==

Having spent a somewhat unfulfilled youth in Ireland, Shaw moved to London in 1876. He had started writing a few years earlier, but was unable to have any of his first five novels published.
In 1884, however, he joined the ''Fabian Society'', for which he wrote many well-known socialist essays. Furthermore, he began to make a name for himself by writing music critiques for ''Star Magazine'' in 1888, as well as drama critiques for ''Saturday Review'' in 1895. Towards the turn of the century, he then began to focus more intently on writing plays, with which he ultimately made his name. In turn, this led to his earlier works becoming more widely known, too.

Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925.

== Significance for 19th century British culture ==

Though he hardly ever addressed them explicitly, Shaw indubitably touches upon many cultural issues of the 19th century in his plays. He reflects upon topics such as socialism, class struggle, family structures, prostitution, and vaccination. As his publications cover such a wide variety of subject matter and a lengthy time span, he is said to have influenced the mentality of several generations.

Some of his best-known works:

''Mrs Warren’s Profession'' (1898)
''Arms and the Man'' (1898)
''Man and Superman'' (1903)
''Pygmalion'' (1916)
''The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to Socialism and Capitalism'' (1928)

Encyclopaedia Britannica: ''George Bernard Shaw''. Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc: 1976

Magnusson, Magnus (Ed): ''Chambers Biographical Dictionary.'' 5th ed. Edinburgh: W&R Chambers Ltd, 1990

George Bernard Shaw

2010-12-11T11:50:21Z

Rajidas:

George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw was a highly influential 19th century dramatist, novelist, and music critic. He was born in Dublin in 1856 and died in Hertfordshire in 1950.

== Life ==

Having spent a somewhat unfulfilled youth in Ireland, Shaw moved to London in 1876. He had started writing a few years earlier, but was unable to have any of his first five novels published.
In 1884, however, he joined the ''Fabian Society'', for which he wrote many well-known socialist essays. Furthermore, he began to make a name for himself by writing music critiques for ''Star Magazine'' in 1888, as well as drama critiques for ''Saturday Review'' in 1895. Towards the turn of the century, he then began to focus more intently on writing plays, with which he ultimately made his name. In turn, this led to his earlier works becoming more widely known, too.

Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925.

== Significance for 19th century British culture ==

Though he hardly ever addressed them explicitly, Shaw indubitably touches upon many cultural issues of the 19th century in his plays. He reflects upon topics such as socialism, class struggle, family structures, prostitution, and vaccination. As his publications cover such a wide variety of subject matter and a lengthy time span, he is said to have influenced the mentality of several generations.

Some of his best-known works:

''Mrs Warren’s Profession'' (1898)
''Arms and the Man'' (1898)
''Man and Superman'' (1903)
''Pygmalion'' (1916)
''The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to Socialism and Capitalism'' (1928)

Encyclopaedia Britannica: ''George Bernard Shaw''. Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc: 1976

Magnusson, Magnus (Ed): ''Chambers Biographical Dictionary.'' 5th ed. Edinburgh: W&R Chambers Ltd, 1990

George Bernard Shaw

2010-12-11T11:49:43Z

Rajidas:

George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw was a highly influential 19th century dramatist, novelist, and music critic. He was born in Dublin in 1856 and died in Hertfordshire in 1950.

''Life''

Having spent a somewhat unfulfilled youth in Ireland, Shaw moved to London in 1876. He had started writing a few years earlier, but was unable to have any of his first five novels published.
In 1884, however, he joined the ''Fabian Society'', for which he wrote many well-known socialist essays. Furthermore, he began to make a name for himself by writing music critiques for ''Star Magazine'' in 1888, as well as drama critiques for ''Saturday Review'' in 1895. Towards the turn of the century, he then began to focus more intently on writing plays, with which he ultimately made his name. In turn, this led to his earlier works becoming more widely known, too.

Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925.

== Significance for 19th century British culture ==

Though he hardly ever addressed them explicitly, Shaw indubitably touches upon many cultural issues of the 19th century in his plays. He reflects upon topics such as socialism, class struggle, family structures, prostitution, and vaccination. As his publications cover such a wide variety of subject matter and a lengthy time span, he is said to have influenced the mentality of several generations.

Some of his best-known works:

''Mrs Warren’s Profession'' (1898)
''Arms and the Man'' (1898)
''Man and Superman'' (1903)
''Pygmalion'' (1916)
''The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to Socialism and Capitalism'' (1928)

Encyclopaedia Britannica: ''George Bernard Shaw''. Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc: 1976

Magnusson, Magnus (Ed): ''Chambers Biographical Dictionary.'' 5th ed. Edinburgh: W&R Chambers Ltd, 1990

George Bernard Shaw

2010-12-11T11:49:14Z

Rajidas:

George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw was a highly influential 19th century dramatist, novelist, and music critic. He was born in Dublin in 1856 and died in Hertfordshire in 1950.

==
Life ==

Having spent a somewhat unfulfilled youth in Ireland, Shaw moved to London in 1876. He had started writing a few years earlier, but was unable to have any of his first five novels published.
In 1884, however, he joined the ''Fabian Society'', for which he wrote many well-known socialist essays. Furthermore, he began to make a name for himself by writing music critiques for ''Star Magazine'' in 1888, as well as drama critiques for ''Saturday Review'' in 1895. Towards the turn of the century, he then began to focus more intently on writing plays, with which he ultimately made his name. In turn, this led to his earlier works becoming more widely known, too.

Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925.

== Significance for 19th century British culture ==

Though he hardly ever addressed them explicitly, Shaw indubitably touches upon many cultural issues of the 19th century in his plays. He reflects upon topics such as socialism, class struggle, family structures, prostitution, and vaccination. As his publications cover such a wide variety of subject matter and a lengthy time span, he is said to have influenced the mentality of several generations.

Some of his best-known works:

''Mrs Warren’s Profession'' (1898)
''Arms and the Man'' (1898)
''Man and Superman'' (1903)
''Pygmalion'' (1916)
''The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to Socialism and Capitalism'' (1928)

Encyclopaedia Britannica: ''George Bernard Shaw''. Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc: 1976

Magnusson, Magnus (Ed): ''Chambers Biographical Dictionary.'' 5th ed. Edinburgh: W&R Chambers Ltd, 1990

George Bernard Shaw

2010-12-11T09:02:22Z

Rajidas:

1856-1950. Dramatist and political writer (member of the Fabian Society). Born in Dublin, but moved to London in 1876. (work in progress...)

[[Category:Expansion]]

Contagious Diseases Acts

2010-11-30T18:40:53Z

Rajidas:

Series of laws passed by British Parliament to introduce measures against the increased spreading of venereal disease. With rising levels of prostitution in 19th-century Britain, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) became an increasingly serious health problem. As especially members of the military, who were not allowed to marry, associated with prostitutes and consequently ran the risk of getting infected, the situation became a direct concern of the government.

It was decided that the easiest way to prevent the further proliferation of STDs would be to detain women who were suspected of being infected with venereal disease. This was subsequently legalized in the Contagious Diseases Acts of 1864, 1866, and 1869.

The law stated that infected women should be interred in so-called ‘Lock Hospitals’ from a few months to up to one year. The medical and hygienic conditions in these hospitals were, however, not suitable to treat women who were infected effectively.

More importantly, though, the law served as an incentive for the women’s rights movement. Female activists argued that the law not only lead to uninfected women being subjected to humiliating examinations and injustices by the male authorities, but also added to the unjust sexual double standards that prevailed in Victorian society as the law did not affect infected males.

The Acts were repealed in 1886.

Sources:

Hughes, Linda K. 1870. ''A Companion to Victorian Literature and Culture'' .Ed.Herbert F. Tucker. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Ltd, 1999.

Walkowitz, Judith. ''Prostitution and Victorian Society: Women, Class, and the State''. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1980.

Contagious Diseases Acts

2010-11-30T11:15:34Z

Rajidas:

Series of laws passed by British Parliament to introduce measures against the increased spreading of venereal disease. With rising levels of prostitution in 19th-century Britain, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) became an increasingly serious health problem. As especially members of the military, who were not allowed to marry, associated with prostitutes and consequently ran the risk of getting infected, the situation became a direct concern of the government.

It was decided that the easiest way to prevent the further proliferation of STDs would be to detain women who were suspected of being infected with venereal disease. This was subsequently legalized in the Contagious Diseases Acts of 1864, 1866, and 1869.

The law stated that infected women should be interred in so-called ‘Lock Hospitals’ from a few months to up to one year. The medical and hygienic conditions in these hospitals were, however, not suitable to treat women who were infected effectively.

More importantly, though, the law served as an incentive for the women’s rights movement. Female activists argued that the law not only lead to uninfected women being subjected to humiliating examinations and injustices by the male authorities, but also added to the unjust sexual double standards that prevailed in Victorian society as the law did not affect infected males.

The Acts were repealed in 1886.

Sources:

Hughes, Linda K. 1870. ''A Companion to Victorian Literature and Culture'' .Ed.Herbert F. Tucker. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Ltd, 1999.
Walkowitz, Judith. ''Prostitution and Victorian Society: Women, Class, and the State''. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1980.

Contagious Diseases Acts

2010-11-27T08:38:53Z

Rajidas:

The Contagious Diseases Acts were a series of laws passed by British Government to introduce measures against the increased spreading of venereal diseases among citizens.

With rising levels of prostitution in 19th century Britain, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) became an increasingly serious health problem. As especially members of the military, who were not allowed to marry, associated with prostitutes and consequently ran the risk of getting infected, the situation became a direct concern of the government.

It was decided that the easiest way to prevent the further proliferation of STDs would be the detain women who were suspected of being infected with a venereal disease. This was subsequently legalized in the Contagious Diseases Act in 1864.

The law stated that infected women should be interred in so called ‘Lock Hospitals’ from a few months to up to one year. The medical and hygienic conditions in these hospitals were, however, not suitable to treat women who were infected effectively.

More importantly, though, the law served as an incentive for a women’s rights movement. Female activists argued that the law not only lead to uninfected women being subjected to humiliating examinations and injustices by the male authorities, but also added to the unjust sexual double standards that prevailed in Victorian society as the law did not affect infected males.

Sources:

Walkowitz, Judith. Prostitution and Victorian Society: Women, Class, and the State. Cambridge University Press, 1980

Contagious Diseases Acts

2010-11-27T08:36:12Z

Rajidas:

The Contagious Diseases Acts were a series of laws passed by British Government to introduce measures against the increased spreading of venereal diseases among citizens.

With rising levels of prostitution in 19th century Britain, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) became an increasingly serious health problem. As especially members of the military, who were not allowed to marry, associated with prostitutes and consequently ran the risk of getting infected, the situation became a direct concern of the government.

It was decided that the easiest way to prevent the further proliferation of STDs would be the detain women who were suspected of being infected with a venereal disease. This was subsequently legalized in the Contagious Diseases Act in 1864.

The law stated that infected women should be interred in so called ‘Lock Hospitals’ from a few months to up to one year. The medical and hygienic conditions in these hospitals were, however, not suitable to treat women who were infected effectively.

More importantly, though, the law served as an incentive for a women’s rights movement. Female activists argued that the law not only lead to uninfected women being subjected to humiliating examinations and injustices by the male authorities, but also added to the unjust sexual double standards that prevailed in Victorian society as the law did not affect infected males.

Walkowitz, Judith. Prostitution and Victorian Society: Women, Class, and the State. Cambridge University Press, 1980