This volume from a selection of distinguished international scholars is the first of its kind to explore in depth the emotional dimensions of liberal writing in Britain over the long nineteenth century. Addressing liberal writing in the public sphere rather than high political or parliamentary liberalism, it comprises a clear, context-setting introduction and eleven substantive chapters. The chapters analyse key texts and figures from the 1790s through to the 1920s and offer several different approaches to the central concern with the emotions and liberalism. These include examining the place of the emotions in the 'good life'; the social and political function of the emotions; emotional rhetoric in liberal writing; and liberal theories of the emotions.

Jock Macleod is Associate Professor of Literary Studies at Griffith University

William Christie is Emeritus Professor of English Literature at the Australian National University

Peter Denney is Associate Professor of History at Griffith University