James Beattie and the progress of genius in the Aberdeen Enlightenment

Young, R. (2013) James Beattie and the progress of genius in the Aberdeen Enlightenment. Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies, 36(2), pp. 245-261. (doi: 10.1111/j.1754-0208.2012.00531.x)

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Abstract

James Beattie’s The Minstrel is often viewed as a proto-romantic work for its portrayal of the developing genius of Edwin. In this article I show how Beattie’s exploration of genius also has a particular connection to the intellectual culture of the Aberdeen Enlightenment, which was responsible for producing leading works on genius during the late eighteenth century. This article examines the influence of Marischal College in shaping the analysis of genius during the period. It further demonstrates the impact of the Aberdeen Philosophical Society on Beattie’s thought on genius as it appears in his verse and later critical writing.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:James Beattie, The Minstrel, Genius, Scottish Enlightenment, Scottish Romanticism, Aberdeen University, Aberdeen Philosophical Society
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Young, Dr Ronnie
Authors: Young, R.
Subjects:P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General)
P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN0080 Criticism
P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN0441 Literary History
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Scottish Literature
Journal Name:Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Publisher:Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:1754-0194
ISSN (Online):1754-0208
Published Online:19 October 2012
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2012 British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
First Published:First published in Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies 36(2):245-261
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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