Description
In his long career as a writer Daniel Defoe never tired of advocating the value of personal observation and experience; and he never wavered in his conviction that it is man's God-given duty to explore and make productive use of nature. In this first major study of Bacon's legacy to Defoe, Ilse Vickers shows that the ideas and concepts of Baconian science were a major influence on Defoe's way of thinking and writing. She outlines the seventeenth-century intellectual milieu, and discusses the prominence of Defoe's teacher Charles Morton among major Baconian thinkers of the century. She goes on to consider a wide range of Defoe's work, from the point of view of his familiarity with the ideals of experimental philosophy, and throws new light on the close link between his factual and his fictional works. In the process Vickers reveals a new Defoe: not only a thorough Baconian, but also a far more consistent writer than has hitherto been recognized.
This book describes the principles of Baconian science, and their influence on the thought and writing of Daniel Defoe.
Reviews
"It is not often that a book comes out that makes so much sense that one wonders why nobody thought of it before. Such is the case with Ilse Vickers' study of Daniel Defoe. Vickers' work is useful, livel, and interesting for any facet of Defoe studies, not merely the ones she covers, since her theory can be applied to Defoe's theoretical ideas and his moral principles." British and American Literatures
"Her exposition of Baconianism in three of Defoe's major works of nonfiction, A General History of Trade, A New Voyage Round the World, and A Tour thro' the Whole Island of Great Britain, is persuasive. But it is in her approach to Robinson Crusoe that she makes her greatest contribution. Our understanding of Robinson Crusoe is enriched by this sensitive commentary." David Blewitt, 18th Century Studies
"...Vickers's book usefully discusses Defoe's symptomatic contributions to travel writing, and is especially good on how internal travel leads directly to the `natural history' of a nation." Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900
"This short study will interest both cultural and literary historians." Barbara Shapiro, Albion
Book Information
ISBN 9780521024365
Author Ilse Vickers
Format Paperback
Page Count 216
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 331g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 153mm * 14mm
This book describes the principles of Baconian science, and their influence on the thought and writing of Daniel Defoe.
Reviews
"It is not often that a book comes out that makes so much sense that one wonders why nobody thought of it before. Such is the case with Ilse Vickers' study of Daniel Defoe. Vickers' work is useful, livel, and interesting for any facet of Defoe studies, not merely the ones she covers, since her theory can be applied to Defoe's theoretical ideas and his moral principles." British and American Literatures
"Her exposition of Baconianism in three of Defoe's major works of nonfiction, A General History of Trade, A New Voyage Round the World, and A Tour thro' the Whole Island of Great Britain, is persuasive. But it is in her approach to Robinson Crusoe that she makes her greatest contribution. Our understanding of Robinson Crusoe is enriched by this sensitive commentary." David Blewitt, 18th Century Studies
"...Vickers's book usefully discusses Defoe's symptomatic contributions to travel writing, and is especially good on how internal travel leads directly to the `natural history' of a nation." Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900
"This short study will interest both cultural and literary historians." Barbara Shapiro, Albion
Book Information
ISBN 9780521024365
Author Ilse Vickers
Format Paperback
Page Count 216
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 331g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 153mm * 14mm
