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The Profession of Letters
Hardcover
Literary CriticismBusiness of WritingBritish History
ISBN13: 9781025927022
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 282
Weight: 1.26
Height: 0.69 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Profession of Letters is a seminal study that examines the sociological and economic conditions of the English literary world during a period of profound transition. Focusing on the years between 1780 and 1832, A.S. Collins explores the shift from a system of private aristocratic patronage to a burgeoning commercial marketplace driven by a growing middle-class reading public. The work provides a detailed analysis of the evolving relationships between authors, publishers, and their audiences, tracing the professionalization of the writer's craft.
Through a careful investigation of the financial realities and social status of literary figures during the Romantic era, the book highlights the rise of influential periodicals and the expansion of the book trade. Collins demonstrates how technological advancements and shifting cultural values allowed authors to achieve a new level of independence. The Profession of Letters serves as an essential resource for understanding the historical development of the publishing industry and the foundational structures that support modern literary life. It offers deep insights into how the business of books transformed the creative output and professional identity of some of England's most celebrated writers.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
1 different editions
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Collins, A. S.
Authorship in the Days of Johnson: Being a Study of the Relation Between Author, Patron, Publisher and Public, 1726-1780
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The Profession of Letters: A Study of the Relation of Author to Patron, Publisher and Public, 1780-1832
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Authorship in the Days of Johnson: Being a Study of the Relation Between Author, Patron, Publisher and Public, 1726-1780
Collins, A. S.
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The Profession of Letters: A Study of the Relation of Author to Patron, Publisher and Public, 1780-1832
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