Town and Gown : amateurs and academics : the discovery of British prehistory, Oxford 1850-1900 : a pastime professionalised
This investigation into the origin of a collection of nineteenth century lanternslides revealed evidence of the social, intellectual and cultural importance of various scientific societies in Oxford, and the contributions made by those involved, particularly the creator of the lanternslides, H. M. J. Underhill, (1855â1920). Evidence gathered from primary sources showed a fluidity of relationships between the supposed âtown and gownâ in late nineteenth century Oxford which consisted of a community of citizens, amateurs and academics, all of whom were linked by a growing interest in the real and mythological British past. Following a discussion of the key intellectual and social influences in Britain during the latter half of the nineteenth century, including the implications of the emerging evidence of an ancient human past, the thesis focuses on individual case studies. They illustrate the roles of overlooked or neglected individuals whose work contributed to the growth of todayâs discipline of British prehistory. Several people, now forgotten, including Underhill were contemporaries of Arthur Evans and Edward Tylor whose social circumstances made it easier for them to become prominent academics. The
Price, Elizabeth Megan
Prehistoric archaeology ; nineteenth century social and intellectual history ; Oxford ; Underhill ; images of prehistoric Britain ; Oxford ; amateur archaeology ; social ; intellectual history ; local societies Underhill ; lanternslides ; British prehistory
Town and Gown : amateurs and academics : the discovery of British prehistory, Oxford 1850-1900 : a pastime professionalised. This investigation into the origin of a collection of nineteenth century lanternslides revealed evidence of the social, intellectual and cultural importance of various scientific societies in Oxford, and the contributions made by those involved, particularly the creator of the lanternslides, H. M. J. Underhill, (1855â1920). Evidence gathered from primary sources showed a fluidity of relationships between the supposed âtown and gownâ in late nineteenth century Oxford which consisted of a community of citizens, amateurs and academics, all of whom were linked by a growing interest in the real and mythological British past. Following a discussion of the key intellectual and social influences in Britain during the latter half of the nineteenth century, including the implications of the emerging evidence of an ancient human past, the thesis focuses on individual case studies. They illustrate the roles of overlooked or neglected individuals whose work contributed to the growth of todayâs discipline of British prehistory. Several people, now forgotten, including Underhill were contemporaries of Arthur Evans and Edward Tylor whose social circumstances made it easier for them to become prominent academics. The
town amateur academic discovery british_prehistory oxford professionalise investigation origin collection reveal evidence social_intellectual cultural importance various scientific society oxford contribution_make involved particularly creator person evidence_gather primary_source show fluidity relationship suppose town late oxford consist community citizen amateur academic link grow_interest real mythological british past following discussion key intellectual social influence britain latter half include implication emerge evidence ancient human past focus individual case_study illustrate role overlook neglected individual_whose work contribute growth today discipline british_prehistory several people forgotten include contemporary evans edward whose social circumstance make easy become_prominent academic