The Taylors of Ongar : faith and pragmatism in a Dissenting family's literary enterprise, c1780-1830
The Taylors of Ongar were a Dissenting literary family and authors of multiple books published between 1804 and 1833. In the mid-Victorian era members of the family also published a series of autobiographies and memoirs. These works contributed to the creation of the family's literary legacy. Today the Taylors of Ongar are associated with the conservative, evangelical literary tradition that contributed to the middle-class ideology of domesticity in the nineteenth century. Previous studies of the family have been based primarily on assessments of their books and the published autobiographies with reference seldom made to primary sources. By incorporating evidence from primary source material, including family manuscripts that were discovered during research for this study, this thesis re-evaluates the literary enterprise of the Taylors of Ongar. The new, unpublished information is contrasted with the family's authorised biographies and a strong, female voice is returned to the family history. Particular consideration is given to the role of Dissent in the family's life and work and the transition of that faith down the generations. The impact this had on the family history and literary legacy is discussed.
Bailey, Georgina
DA Great Britain
The Taylors of Ongar : faith and pragmatism in a Dissenting family's literary enterprise, c1780-1830. The Taylors of Ongar were a Dissenting literary family and authors of multiple books published between 1804 and 1833. In the mid-Victorian era members of the family also published a series of autobiographies and memoirs. These works contributed to the creation of the family's literary legacy. Today the Taylors of Ongar are associated with the conservative, evangelical literary tradition that contributed to the middle-class ideology of domesticity in the nineteenth century. Previous studies of the family have been based primarily on assessments of their books and the published autobiographies with reference seldom made to primary sources. By incorporating evidence from primary source material, including family manuscripts that were discovered during research for this study, this thesis re-evaluates the literary enterprise of the Taylors of Ongar. The new, unpublished information is contrasted with the family's authorised biographies and a strong, female voice is returned to the family history. Particular consideration is given to the role of Dissent in the family's life and work and the transition of that faith down the generations. The impact this had on the family history and literary legacy is discussed.
faith pragmatism dissenting family literary enterprise dissenting literary family author multiple book_publish mid_victorian era member_family also publish series autobiography memoir work contribute_creation family literary legacy today associate conservative evangelical literary_tradition contribute middle_class ideology domesticity previous_study family base_primarily assessment book_publish autobiography reference seldom make primary_source incorporate evidence primary_source_material include family manuscript discover study re_evaluates literary enterprise new unpublished information contrast family authorise biography strong female voice return family_history particular consideration_give role dissent family_life work transition faith generation impact family_history literary legacy discuss