Research Catalog

Title

Discovering the footsteps of time : geological travel writing about Scotland, 1700-1820 / Tom Furniss.

Author

Furniss, Tom

Publication

• Edinburgh : Edinburgh University Press, [2018]
• ©2018

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

x, 305 pages : illustrations, maps; 24 cm

Summary

Discovering the Footsteps of Time probes the development of a distinctively Scottish tradition of geological travel writing from the seventeenth to early nineteenth century. The tradition tracks a fertile interaction of scientific and aesthetic themes, mediated through literary techniques, which highlights the emergence of 'Romanticism' as such; a distinctive, recognisable cultural movement of taste and style. Making an important new contribution to our understanding of the 'discovery' and representation of Scotland in the long eighteenth century, the book explores why Scotland's topography has been decisive in the history of geology to such a great extent. Written by a literary academic rather than a geologist, the book is as much concerned with textual strategies and the aesthetic experience of geological discovery as with geology itself. Key Features: Adds to our understanding of the 'discovery of Scotland' in the 18th and early 19th century, developing a new account of the literary, aesthetic and geological meanings of 'the land of mountain and flood' in the period; Offers new insights about James Hutton's geological theory by attending to his geological travel writing about Scotland, and also locates Hutton's work within wider geological debates in and about Scotland; Builds on previous work on the literariness of scientific writing in the 'second scientific revolution'; Contributes to research on 'Romantic Scotland' and on the transition from Enlightenment to Romantic scientific travel writing.

Series Statement

Edinburgh Critical Studies in Romanticism

Uniform Title

Edinburgh critical studies in romanticism.

Subject

• 1700-1899
• Travel writing > Scotland > History and criticism
• Travel writing > Scotland > History > 18th century
• Travel writing > Scotland > History > 19th century
• Geology in literature
• Geology > Scotland
• Geology
• Travel writing
• Scotland

Genre/Form

• Criticism, interpretation, etc.
• History.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 265-297) and index.

Call Number

JFE 18-3502

ISBN

• 9781474410014
• 1474410014

OCLC

1019622272

Author

Furniss, Tom, author.

Title

Discovering the footsteps of time : geological travel writing about Scotland, 1700-1820 / Tom Furniss.

Publisher

Edinburgh : Edinburgh University Press, [2018]

Copyright Date

©2018

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Series

Edinburgh Critical Studies in Romanticism

Edinburgh critical studies in romanticism.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 265-297) and index.

Chronological Term

1700-1899

Research Call Number

JFE 18-3502