Lives of the Most Eminent Literary and Scientific Men

Discovering the Lives of Eminent Men: A Journey Through Time

The Lives of the Most Eminent Literary and Scientific Men, a monumental work by Dionysius Lardner, was more than just an encyclopedia—it was a beacon for self-education during the 19th century. This series comprised ten volumes, each filled with biographies that spanned across Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, and other countries. But who wrote these fascinating accounts? And why were they so significant?

Unveiling the Author: Mary Shelley’s Literary Legacy

Mary Shelley, known for her gothic masterpiece Frankenstein, was also a prolific writer of biographies. She penned most of these volumes, showcasing her professional knowledge and feminist historiography interests. Her writing style combined secondary sources, memoirs, anecdotes, and personal opinions, making each biography unique and insightful.

The Political Undertones: A Feminist Historiography

Shelley’s biographies were not just about recounting the lives of literary giants; they were infused with her political views. In the Lives of the Most Eminent Literary and Scientific Men of Italy, Spain and Portugal, she supported republicanism and women’s education, reflecting a progressive stance for her time. These works were part of a broader trend in self-improvement literature aimed at spreading liberal ideas among the middle class.

The Cabinet Cyclopaedia: A Self-Improvement Phenomenon

The Cabinet Cyclopaedia was one of the most successful self-improvement enterprises during this period. It consisted of five ‘Cabinets’ covering various divisions of knowledge, arranged topically rather than alphabetically. Thirty-eight authors contributed to 61 titles in 133 volumes, with the first volume published in December 1829 by Longman, Reese, Orme, Browne, Greene, and John Taylor.

Financial Struggles and Success

The project faced financial challenges due to high printing costs. Despite initial struggles, the series remained in print until 1890. The biographies were not bestsellers but still printed and sold widely, with some volumes being copied illegally. This speaks to their enduring appeal and the desire for knowledge among the middle class.

Shelley’s Contributions: A Blend of Scholarship and Personal Insight

Mary Shelley’s contributions filled about three-quarters of the five volumes. She wrote in a style that combined secondary sources, memoirs, anecdotes, and her own opinions. Her biographies were not just historical accounts but also reflections on gender politics and education.

The Italian Lives: A Political Statement

Shelley’s Lives of the Most Eminent Literary and Scientific Men of Italy, Spain and Portugal are considered the most political of all her contributions. They reflect her republicanism and praise for writers who resist tyranny. Her biography of Vittoria Colonna, a poet and noblewoman, highlights her literary achievements and virtues while offering a nuanced analysis of historical context.

The Spanish and Portuguese Lives: A Challenge in Research

Shelley wrote all entries in the Spanish and Portuguese Lives between 1834-1837. The task was challenging due to limited access to sources, but her biographies focus on describing authors, their writings, and summarizing their ‘beauties and defects.’ She critiqued the method of biography described by her father, William Godwin, which she believed perpetuated negative information about writers.

The French Lives: A Celebration of Literary Women

Shelley’s French Lives volume includes contributions from notable figures like Montaigne, Voltaire, and Madame de Staël. She stretched the definition of ‘Eminent Literary Men’ by including female subjects and political actors such as Condorcet and Mirabeau. Her biographies are deeply personal works with autobiographical elements, written by a knowledgeable author fluent in French who subscribed to specialist circulating libraries.

Legacy and Reception

The Lives of the Most Eminent Literary and Scientific Men did not receive much critical attention until recently. However, some biographies were praised for their originality, such as Graham’s Magazine’s positive review of her Spanish Lives volume. The project allowed Shelley to celebrate literary women and provide insight into her views on gender issues.

The Cabinet Cyclopaedia was part of the self-improvement literature trend during the 19th century, with the goal of spreading liberal ideas and promoting education among the middle class. It aimed to combat these ideas by teaching people to read the Bible and religious tracts.

The biographies were met with mixed reviews, with some praising the writing style and others criticizing its organization and use of primary sources. The Monthly Review reviewed Mary Shelley’s biographies unfavorably due to the lack of context. However, two of her biographies received praise for their originality.

Conclusion

The Lives of the Most Eminent Literary and Scientific Men by Dionysius Lardner was a groundbreaking work that not only provided knowledge but also sparked conversations about gender politics and education. Mary Shelley’s contributions, particularly in the Italian Lives, reflect her progressive views and feminist historiography interests. These biographies remain valuable today for their insights into 19th-century intellectual life and the role of women in shaping it.