The influence of Switzerland on the life and writings of Edward Gibbon
The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate, through close examination of Gibbon's lesser writings, in addition to his well-known works, the importance of Switzerland in his life and thinking. The texts used for this study are his <i>Journal de mon voyage</i>, written at the age of eighteen in 1755, his <i>Letter on the Government of Berne</i>, which is established here as a composition of the 1750's, his <i>Essai sur l'EÌtude de la LitteÌrature</i>, the <i>Journals</i> which cover the years up to his tour of Italy in 1764, the topographical survey of classical Italy entitled <i>Nomina, gentesque antiquae Italiae</i>, and his <i>Introduction aÌ l'Histoire GeÌneÌrale de la ReÌpublique des Suisses</i>, with reference throughout to <i>The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire</i>, the <i>Memoirs</i> and his <i>Letters</i>. It was in Lausanne that he completed his education, began his first published work, the Essai, and entered into a society which was close to the centre of ~The Enlightenment~, enlivened as it was by the presence of Voltaire. Switzerland remained persistently in Gibbon's thoughts after his return to England in 1758; its society caused him to reside in Lausanne eleven months while he prepared
Norman, Brian
History
The influence of Switzerland on the life and writings of Edward Gibbon. The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate, through close examination of Gibbon's lesser writings, in addition to his well-known works, the importance of Switzerland in his life and thinking. The texts used for this study are his <i>Journal de mon voyage</i>, written at the age of eighteen in 1755, his <i>Letter on the Government of Berne</i>, which is established here as a composition of the 1750's, his <i>Essai sur l'EÌtude de la LitteÌrature</i>, the <i>Journals</i> which cover the years up to his tour of Italy in 1764, the topographical survey of classical Italy entitled <i>Nomina, gentesque antiquae Italiae</i>, and his <i>Introduction aÌ l'Histoire GeÌneÌrale de la ReÌpublique des Suisses</i>, with reference throughout to <i>The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire</i>, the <i>Memoirs</i> and his <i>Letters</i>. It was in Lausanne that he completed his education, began his first published work, the Essai, and entered into a society which was close to the centre of ~The Enlightenment~, enlivened as it was by the presence of Voltaire. Switzerland remained persistently in Gibbon's thoughts after his return to England in 1758; its society caused him to reside in Lausanne eleven months while he prepared
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