Word Crimes - Blasphemy, Culture, and Literature in Nineteenth-Century England

In 1883 newspaper editor G.W. Foote stood trial three times for blasphemy. Here Joss Marsh reconstructs the forgotten cases of more than 200 working-class "blasphemers" in Victorian England, whose stubborn refusal to silence their "hooligan" voices, along with Foote, helped secure our rights to speak and write freely today. 22 photos.

Summary

An account of blasphemy in Victorian England, retelling the forgotten stories of more than 200 working-class blasphemers, such as G.W. Foote, who stood trial three times for the crime of blasphemy. Foote's "martyrdom" transformed blasphemy from a religious offence into a class and cultural crime.

Product details

• Authors: Joss Marsh, Marsh Joss
• Publisher: University Presses
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 15.08.1998
• EAN: 9780226506913
• ISBN: 978-0-226-50691-3
• No. of pages: 362
• Dimensions: 17 mm x 23 mm x 3 mm
• Weight: 680 g
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies; England, English, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, RELIGION / Christianity / History, RELIGION / Christianity / General, LITERARY CRITICISM / Modern / 19th Century, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Censorship, RELIGION / Blasphemy, Heresy & Apostasy, Christianity, History of Religion, Literary studies: c 1800 to c 1900, Social and cultural history, Church history, Ethical Issues: Censorship, Blasphemy, Heresy, Apostasy, Ethical issues: censorship / freedom of expression