Matthew Arnold's other countrymen: The reputation of Matthew Arnold in America from 1853 to 1870

Date
1964
DOI
Authors
Lefcowitz, Allan
Version
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
The purpose of this study is twofold: first, the collection and discussion of neglected bibliographical material in order to demonstrate the availability of Arnold's writings to the American public and to show that Arnold's works were more widely reviewed and read before 1870 than has been realized; and second, to discuss Arnold's influence-on an acerbated post-Civil War cultural \ debate, a debate which, in turn, affected his reputation. Clough might easily have advanced Arnold's reception in America, but both in his article for the North American Review and in his.letters to C. E. Norton he attempted to·keep Arnold's poetry from making its way. Nevertheless, most other reviews of Arnold were favorable; a volume of his poetry was published before the Civil War and individual poems appeared in popular anthologies; reviews of his criticism frequently started with praise of Arnold as a poet; most American critics placed him among the three major living English poets; both young and old American men of letters were familiar with his verse. A major factor in the initial reception of his literary criticism was Arnold's reputation as a poet [TRUNCATED]
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University.
License
Based on investigation of the BU Libraries' staff, this work is free of known copyright restrictions.