Reappraising Hannah More: a journey in local and national history

Hannah More (1745-1833) has for a long time been a neglected figure of the Eighteenth century, except perhaps for her enduring legacy in the Mendip schools and Somerset villages. Despite being one of the most influential cultural figures of her era – as a playwright, poet, Bluestocking, novelist, abolitionist, educationalist and philanthropist – More’s unfashionable opinions have precluded her from being remembered in the same way as fellow abolitionists. This course will focus on her role as a writer, educationalist, and will appraise her role in the abolition of the slave trade. We will examine her local contribution as well as her national and international reputation; and will discuss her literary output, letters to William Wilberforce, educational methods and subsequent interpretations which have kept her, for so long, a marginalised figure.


Course Details

This course finished on 14 May 2019