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arah":[60],"Scott,SarahFielding,CatharineMacaulayandSophiaLee,tolesserknown":[61],"authorslikeJaneBowdler,EstherLewis,LadyAnnaMillerandAnn":[62],"Thicknesse.Thesewomenbelongedtodifferentsocialclasses,workedin":[63],"differentgenresandhelddiverseideologicalpositions.Consideringsuch":[64],"authorsonthebasisofplace,however,promotesnewpatternsofinquirythat":[65],"challengepreviousassumptionsaboutthoseverycategoriesandproposenew":[66],"waysofreadingtheirtexts.":[67],"FocusingprimarilyonwomenengagedinBath'sprintcultureintheeigh-":[68],"teenthcentury,Iwillarguethatthetown'surbandynamicsfosteredwomen'swritinginwaysdistinct,bothmateriallyandconceptually,fromthemetro-":[69],"politanscene.Keyfactorsinthisdifferentiationincludedtherapidgrowthof":[70],"Women,Place,andPrintCultureinEighteenth-CenturyBath/157":[71],"localpublishingasacommercialenterprise,town-specificmodelsofboth":[72],"socialrelationsandtheorganizationofpublicspace,andtheavailabilityof":[73],"civicrhetoricandcivicideologyasauthorizingagents.Ineachofthesear-":[74],"eas,Bathoffersausefulcasestudyofthewaysinwhicheighteenth-century":[75],"women'swritinggrowsoutof,andrespondsto,thelocal.":[76],"ItmightbesaidthattheliteraryhistoryofEnglandrestsuponaspatial":[77],"metaphor:Londonasthehubofawheel,radiatingcultureouttotheprovin-":[78],"cialtownsandbeyond.Takencollectively,however,thetrajectoryofthe":[79],"careersdiscussedbelowdecentermetropolitanhegemony,emphasizinginsteadtheincreasingfeasibilityofliteraryenterpriseforwomenoutsideof":[80],"London.Remappingthisterrainprovidesamorecontextualliteraryhistory,":[81],"onethatresistsessentialistclaimsaboutgenderandforegroundsinsteadthe":[82],"multipleandcomplexconditionsofauthorshipshapingwomen'sliterarypro-":[83],"duction.":[84],"SocialhistorianshavedubbedtheeighteenthcenturyEngland's\"urban":[85],"Renaissance,\"referringtothetremendoussocioeconomicgrowthandbur-":[86],"geoningprosperitythatencompassednotonlyLondonbutalsotheprov-":[87],"inces.8TownslikeBath,Bristol,Norwich,Exeterandthenewindustrialsites,whileadmittedlyonlyafractionofLondon'ssize,stillbecamelarge":[88],"enough,andwealthyenough,tosupportsweepingarchitecturalrenovation,":[89],"permanentmeaters,printers,multiplebookshopsandlibraries,andevenschol-":[90],"arlysocieties.":[91],"Thatwomenbeganto\"livebythepen\"earlyinthelongeighteenthcen-":[92],"turyiswellknown.Thecausalroleofnewlyvigorouslocaleconomiesin":[93],"thatprocess,however,hasbeenlargelyoverlooked.DuringtheRestorationandearlyeighteenth-century,asPaulHunterhasshown,livinginLondon":[94],"wasprobablyanecessaryconditionforfinanciallysuccessfulfemaleauthor-":[95],"ship.9Butasthecenturyworeon,moreandmoreprovincialwomensup-":[96],"portedthemselvesbywriting.Bathwasaparticularlyimportantsitebysheer":[97],"dintofthenumberofwomenauthorswholived,wroteandpublishedthere.":[98],"TheproductivityofaumorsinBathlikeSarahFielding,SarahScott,Catharine":[99],"Macaulay,SophiaLeeandlessfamiliarfigureslikeLadyAnnaMillersug-":[100],"geststhatthewidespreadurbanvitalitythatwastransformingsmalltowns":[101],"likeBathfromprovincialbackwatersintoimportantcommercialandcul-":[102],"turalcentersplayedasignificantroleinshapinganincreasingly":[103],"professionalizedliteraryculture.":[104],"Thedecentralizationofpublishingwasacrucialfactorinthis":[105],"professionalization.FollowingthelapseoftheCopyrightActin1695,pro-":[106],"vincialprintersandbooksellersenjoyednearlyacenturyofgrowthequalto,":[107],"orevenexceeding,thatoccurringinLondon.10Eventhoughcopyrightsre-":[108],"mainedlargelyinthehandsofLondoncartelsthroughoutmuchofthecen-":[109],"158":[110],"tury,theeagernessofLondonpublisherstosecureprovincialdistribution":[113],"agreementsatteststothecommercialpotentialofferedbyextra-metropolitan":[114],"sites.By1730,mostoftheimportantEnglishtownsboastedatleastone":[115],"newspaper;bythemid-1740s,booksellersandstationerswereconducting":[116],"businessinapproximately174townsacrossthenation,respondingtorapid":[117],"growthinbothprovincialleisureandprovincialliteracy.''Bytheendofthe":[118],"century,Bath'stenbookstoresandseveralnewspapersweretypicalofthe":[119],"kindofprintapparatusoperatinginlargerprovincialtowns.12":[120],"ThisdiffusionofprintcultureoutofLondonhadclearmaterialramifica-":[121],"tionsforwomen.Whereasmetropolitanpublisherswereusuallyhighlyse-":[122],"lective,localbusinesseswereeagerenoughformaterial,especiallytexts":[123],"targetedtoregionalaudiences,toactivelysolicitmanuscripts.Localpatterns":[124],"ofdemandandconsumptionfosteredanewenablingsubjectfreeofgender":[125],"constraints:thetownitself.Loco-specificliteraturebecameparticularlyim-":[126],"portantinBathandotherspatowns,wherewritingwittyversesontheavail-":[127],"ablepleasuresandpastimesformedapopularsocialactivityamongtourists":[128],"andresidents,maleandfemale.13Chandler'sDescriptionofBathhelped":[129],"inauguratethelocaldemandforplace-specificliterarycommodities;onecritic":[130],"hassuggestedthat\"[h]ersis...thefirstworktochoosethecityofBathas":[131],"itssubject.\"14Ofobviouslocalappeal,thepoemwasactivelypromotedby":[132],"Bath'sleadingbookseller,JamesLeake.Initsdescriptionoflocalattractions":[133],",Chandler'spoemdevotesawholestanzatoLeake'sbookshop,asavvy":[134],"marketingstrategythatprobablyaccountsforthesignificantroleLeakeplayed":[135],"inkeepingthepoembeforethepubliceye;itadvertisedboththetownand":[136],"Leakehimself.'5Leake'snameappearsontheimprintsforthefirstseven":[137],"editionsofDescriptionofBath.Initiallylistedinasubsidiarypositionto":[138],"Londonbooksellers,Leaketookoverastheprimarypublisherwiththesec-":[139],"ondedition.WhileDescriptionofBathearnedChandleranationalreputa-":[140],"tion,itwaslocalpromotionanddistributionthatkeptherworkincirculation":[141],"forsomanydecades\u2014localpromotionthatthepoemitselfhelpedorches-":[142],"trate.":[143],"LocalauthorsHannahMoreandAnnYearsley,bothfromnearbyBristol,":[144],"wereequallyquicktoexploitregionalmarketopportunitiesinadifferent":[145],"genre,thatofdrama.Whileneitherengagedinloco-specifictheatricsperse":[146],"(althoughanumberofsuchworkswereperformed,suchasthepopularlocal":[147],"piece,Bladud),eachrecognizedtheemergenceoflocaltheaterinBathasa":[148],"lucrativeandprestigiousvenueforliteraryproduction.Bath'sOrchardStreet":[149],"Theateropenedin1750andquicklycametoberecognizedasthesiteofsomeofthebesttheatricalworkinEngland,becomingin1768thefirst\"The-":[150],"atreRoyal\"outsideofLondon.16TheBaththeatershareditscompanywith":[151],"Bristol,twelvemilesaway,meaningthataspiringlocalplaywrightshadpo-":[152],"tentialaccesstoaudiencesintwoimportanturbancenters,withoutthediffi-":[153],"Women,Place,andPrintCultureinEighteenth-CenturyBath/159":[154],"culliesanddegradationssufferedbymanymetropolitanwomenplaywrights.17":[155],"Moreeventuallymadeherfortunefromdidactictracts,whileYearsley'srepu-":[156],"tationrestedprimarilyonverse.Buttheavailabilityofhighqualitylocal":[157],"theater(notalleighteenth-centuryprovincialtownscouldevenboastaper-":[158],"manentplayhouse)playedapivotalroleinbothoftheircareers.":[159],"WhiletheOrchardStreetcompanytendedtorepriseLondonhits,italso":[160],"sponsoredoriginalworkandthemanagementwasclearlyreceptivetothe":[161],"effortsoflocalwomen.More'sfirstpublicventureintothetheater,atransla-":[162],"tionofPietroMetastasio'sTheInflexibleCaptive,debutedinBathin1775.18":[163],"Theperformancelaunchedhertheatricalandprofessionalliterarycareer;":[164],"shewentontohaveaspectacularLondondebutwithPercyin1777.More":[165],"movedthereafterinmoreglamorousmetropolitanliterarycircles,butshe":[166],"neverrelinquishedherpersonalorprofessionalwestcountryconnections.19":[167],"Theresultwasafaithfulhometownaudienceeagertoembraceoneofits":[168],"own:\"whenPercywasremountedinBristolinSeptember1778,acrowd":[169],"threatenedtostormthebuildingtosecureseats.\"20":[170],"Adecadelater,theBath/BristolcompanyprovidedMore'serstwhilepro-":[171],"tegeeYearsleywithhertheatricaldebut,ahistoricaldramaentitledEarl":[172],"Goodwin,achoiceofformperhapsinspiredbyMore'ssuccesswithPercy.":[173],"Theplayranforsevennightsinthetwotownsinthefallof1789.21Goodwin":[174],"neverreachedtheLondonstage,butlocalinterestinYearsley,nicknamed":[175],"\"theBristolmilkwoman,\"wasenoughtogeneratetherespectablesumof":[176],"80\u00a3inauthorialprofitsfromtheperformancesalone.22Theplayreceived":[177],"metropolitanaswellaslocalnotices,andwas\"wellreviewed\"whenpub-":[178],"lishedtwoyearslater.23Theavailabilityofalocalvenuethusprovided":[179],"Yearsleywiththeopportunitytoexperimentwithanewliteraryform,andto":[180],"bewellcompensatedforthatexperimentation.":[181],"Bath'sbest-knownfemaleplaywrightwasSophiaLee,who\"soughta":[182],"humblehomeinBath\"afterherfirstplay,TheChapterofAccidents,was":[183],"humiliatinglyrejectedbyCoventGarden'sThomasHarrissometimebetween":[184],"1774-77.24ChapterwaseventuallyproducedbyGeorgeColmanatthe":[185],"Haymarketin1780,achievingenormouspopularsuccess,butLeechoseto":[186],"remaininBathwhereshecontinuedtowriteplaysaswellasfictionand":[187],"poetry,and,likeMore,torunasuccessfulgirl'sschoolwithhersister.That":[188],"choicesuggeststhatBathofferedLeebothpsychologicalandmaterialad-":[189],"vantagesoverLondonasaworkingenvironment.HercircleinBathincluded":[190],"prominentthespianfiguressuchasSarahSiddons,whogotherstartonthe":[191],"Bathstage,aswellasLee'ssisterHarriet,herselfaplaywrightalthough":[192],"neverassuccessfulasSophia.25":[193],"Thespreadofsophisticatedculturaltastesintothetowns,andtheemerg-":[194],"ingmechanismsforfeedingthosetastes,enabledsuccessfulLondonwriters":[195],"likeSophiaLeetorelocatewithoutcommittingprofessionalsuicide.Bath":[196],"160":[197],"wasparticularlyattractiveasanalternativetoLondonbecauseitalsoof-":[200],"feredthehydrotherapeuticbenefitsofitsfamouswatersandalowercostof":[201],"living,importantconsiderationsforthemanywomentoosickortoopoorto":[202],"sustainprofessionalliterarycareersinthecapital.":[203],"Bath'swell-knownmid-century\"bluestocking\"circlecoalescedaround":[204],"womenwhohadfledtherebecauseofhealthproblems,financialstraits,or":[205],"both.CatharineMacaulay'sprefatorycommentstoher\u039bmodestpleafor":[206],"thepropertyofcopy-right(printedinBathin1774)notedthe\"heavyop-":[207],"pressionofsickness,andlanguorofbody\"thathaddrivenhertoBath.26":[208],"Macaulayrecoveredfromthatimmediatecrisis,butcontinuedtosufferfrom":[209],"poorhealthandaccordinglystayedinBathforseveralyearswhereshepre-":[210],"sidedoveracircleofadmirersbothlocalandmetropolitan.Although":[211],"Macaulaysetasideherambitious,multi-volumedHistoryofEnglandfrom":[212],"theAccessionofJamesItothatoftheBrunswickLinewhileinBath,she":[213],"didproducethefirstvolumeinaplannedseriesonTheHistoryofEngland":[214],"fromtheRevolutiontothePresentTimeinaSeriesofLetterstoaFriend,":[215],"publishedinBathin1778.27":[216],"Twentyyearsearlier,SarahFieldinghadalsoretreatedtoBathindes-":[217],"perationoverherfailinghealth.ShortlybeforeleavingLondon,shewrotetoSamuelRichardsoncomplainingofthedampmetropolitanair,saying,\"Surely":[218],"IamasweakasaFeathereverythingstrikesmedown...\";hersufferingwas":[219],"soacutethatitrenderedherunabletowrite.28Afewweekslater,shewrote":[220],"RichardsonfromBaththat\"thewatersagreesowellwithme,thatIhopein":[221],"timetheywillworkasperfectacurefromdiseasesasanoldwomancan":[222],"expect.\"29Fielding'sprofessionaloutputduringheryearsinBath'senvirons":[223],"includedTheLivesofCleopatraandOctavia(1757),TheHistoryofthe":[224],"CountessofDellwyn(1759),TheHistoryofOphelia(1760)andXenophons":[225],"MemoirsofSocrates(1762)\u2014alevelofactivitythatequalsherliterary":[226],"productioninLondon.":[227],"Fielding'smoveapparentlywasfacilitatedbyLeake,whoinadditionto":[228],"beingBath'sleadingbooksellerwasalsoRichardson'sbrother-in-law.While":[229],"FieldingcontinuedtorelyprimarilyonLondonfirmsforpublication,Leake's":[230],"nameappearsontheimprintsforboththefirstandsecondeditionsof":[231],"Cleopatra.ShealsousedBathprinterCorneliusPopeforthefirsteditionof":[232],"hertranslationofXenophon,explaininginaletterthatthebook\"istobe":[233],"printedhere,forIcouldnotundertakeaJourneytoLondon,andhereisan":[234],"ingenuousyoungManlatelysetupthatIbelievewilldoitverywell.\"30In":[235],"othercorrespondence,Fieldingrefersseveraltimestodoingbusinesswith":[236],"herLondonpublisher,AndrewMillar,inBath:\"IexpectMillarinBathto-":[237],"morrowifhekeepstothetimeappointed,andwillthensettleitwithhim,but":[238],"ifheshouldnotcomewillwritetohimnextweek.\"31ForFielding,Bath":[239],"Women,Place,andPrintCultureinEighteenth-CenturyBath/161":[240],"affordedthephysicalwell-beingtocontinuewriting,localresourcesforpro-":[241],"ductionanddistributionwhenshewastooilltotravel,andeven,onocca-":[242],"sion,localaccesstometropolitanbusinessconnections.":[243],"Thefactthathigh-profileliterarywomenwereabletosustaincareersin":[244],"Bathissignificantbothintermsofthediffusionoffemaleliteraryprofes-":[245],"sionalismasanational,ratherthanpurelymetropolitan,phenomenon,but":[246],"alsointhecollectiveimplicationsforlocalculture.FemaleauthorslikeField-":[247],"ing,More,Macaulay,LadyMillerandSarahScott,whomIwilldiscussat":[248],"greaterlengthbelow,wieldedagreatdealofculturalauthorityonthelocal":[249],"scene,attractingandinspiringotherlike-mindedmenandwomen.London's":[250],"eighteenth-centuryliteraryculture,bycontrast,tendedtorevolvearound":[251],"powerfulmalefigureslikeRichardson,JohnsonandGarrick,creatingapara-":[252],"digmofliteraryinfluencethatrelegatedwomenwriterstoperipheralstatus.":[253],"InLondon,theSarahFieldingsandHannahMoresorbitlikelesserstars":[254],"aroundachosensun,thenarrativeoftheirtextualproductioninsistentlyref-":[255],"erentialratherthanautonomous.32OutsideofLondon,however,alternative":[256],"patronagerelationshipsemerged,33relationshipsthatexposethemetropoli-":[257],"tanparadigmasplace-specificratherthanhegemonic.ScottandFielding,":[258],"forinstance,prosperedinBathbecausetheywereabletoformanalmostexclusivelyfemalenetworkthereofemotional,intellectualandfinancialsupport":[259],".34ForFielding,theBathcirclegraduallysupersededthemale-domi-":[260],"natedliterarycirclescentraltoherprofessionaldevelopmentinLondon.She":[261],"continuedtocorrespondwithRichardson,butincreasinglyitseemstohave":[262],"beenScottandher\"bluestocking\"circleinBath,aswellasScott'swealthy":[263],"sisterElizabethMontaguonamorelongdistancebasis,wholookedafter":[264],"Fielding'sphysical,financialandliterarywelfare.Fieldingwasalsobefriended":[265],"byRalphAllen,Bath'swell-knownentrepreneurandliterarypatron,whose":[266],"beneficiariesincludedAlexanderPopeandHenryFielding.WhileAllenbe-":[267],"queathedSarahFielding\u00a3100inhiswill,however,herfemalefriendsin":[268],"Bathfelthecouldhaveextendedhimselfmoreonherbehalf,andexerted":[269],"themselvestooverseeherwelfareonamoredailybasis.35Rizzohassug-":[270],"gestedthatElizabethMontagu'spatronageingeneraltendedtobeexcep-":[271],"tionallyself-servingandfocusedprimarilyonwritersfromthelowerclasses,36":[272],"butinthiscaseMontaguappearstohavequitegenerous,quietlytunneling":[273],"foodandgiftstoFieldingthroughScottforseveralyears,andeventually":[274],"providingherwithanannuity.Fieldingwasnotinapositiontoofferfinan-":[275],"cialassistancetoherliteraryfriends,buttherelationshipwithScottwas":[276],"reciprocalinotherways.Scott...":[277]},"counts_by_year":[{"year":2015,"cited_by_count":1}],"updated_date":"2026-10-31T12:09:11.096373","created_date":"2016-06-24T00:00:00"}