Anglo-Catholic in Religion: T.S. Eliot and Christianity

by Barry Spurr

Overview

Barry Spurr's eagerly-awaited, definitive study of T.S. Eliot's Anglo-Catholic belief and practice shows how the poet is religion shaped his life and work for almost forty years, until his death in 1965. The author examines Eliot's formal adoption of Anglo-Catholicism, in 1927, as the culmination of his intellectual, cultural, artistic, spiritual and personal development to that point. This book presents the first detailed analysis of the unique influence that Anglo-Catholicismis doctrinal and devotional principles, and its social teaching, had on Eliot's poetry, plays, prose and personal life. An informed presentation and discussion of Anglo-Catholicism at the time of Eliot's conversion and through the subsequent decades of his Christian faith and practice. Significant new material from correspondence and diaries which sheds light on Eliot's thought, poetry and prose. This book is essential reading for all scholars and readers of T.S. Eliot and his circle; for students and devotees ofAnglo-Catholicism, and scholars of the interaction between literature and theology, especially in the twentieth century. It will also be of use to senior and Honours-level undergraduates and postgraduate research students working in the fields of Modernism and its principles and belief systems, and for students of religion, especially Western Christianity and Anglicanism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780718840242
Publisher:	The Lutterworth Press
Publication date:	02/25/2010
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	340
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

by Barry Spurr

Editorial Reviews

'Eliot once said, 'I believe that all our problems turn out ulitmatley to be a religious problem' (p.175). Spurr demonstrates convincingly that Eliot believed what he said and also believed that his version of Anglicanism offered the best solution to these problems. Spurr's lucid, well-researched, judicious book should be prized by anyone who wants a better understanding of Eliot's complex religious views and the profound influence they had on his writings.'Henry Hart, Anglican Theological Review, Vol.93:3' 'Anglo-Catholic in Religion': T. S. Eliot and Christianity is a detailed and informative study which places particular importance on Anglo-Catholicism, and establishes it as a key influence on Eliot's life and work. [...] For the most part his analyses are extremely effective. Eliot scholars will find his exposition of Ash Wednesday fascinating, as he illuminates its complex allusions to prayer, liturgy and the importance of the Virgin Mary. Moreover, Spurr highlights where the biblical echoes are most apparent in Eliot's poetry, and he perceptively indicates how Eliot was influenced both by the language of the Prayer Book and by the Bible. [...] Barry Spurr's monograph is relevant and timely. He has produced a seminal work on Eliot's Anglo-Catholicism that is both convincing and cogently presented. ' Jeremy Diaper in Modernist Cultures, May 2011"Spurr considers every area of Eliot's writing with a view to showing what a full understanding of his religious ideas and practices might reveal." David Fuller, Modern Believing, Vol. 54.3, July 2013'Spurr's book is comprehensively excellent on the nature and history of twentieth century Anglo-Catholicism, on Eliot's reputation as an Anglo-Catholic, his observance of its practices, his associations within Anglo-Catholic circles, and its expressions in his creative work [...] Spurr's study elucidates the history of Anglo-Catholicism, its differences from Roman Catholicism and from Protestant traditions.'Roger Kojecky, The Glass, Number 23, Spring 2011"How fortunate we are to have a well informed and highly readable one of that title [Anglo-Catholic in Religion] by the Australian scholar, Professor Barry Spurr. Without being either pietistic or dryly objective it places Anglo-Catholic teachings and practises within the context of Anglicanism and Christianity as a whole, and it traces, in the needed detail, the imprint of these teachings and practises on T.S. Elliot as a literary figure and churchman. It rises on occasion over and above this primary duty of exposition."-William Blissett, The Chesterton Review, Vol. XXXVII No. 1&2, Spring/Summer 2011"Professor Spurr has written an eloquent, learned and moving book, which any one interested in Anglo-Catholicism and all lovers of Eliot's literary output should read."-Sheridan Gilley, The Chesterton Review, Vol. XXXVII No. 1&2, Spring/Summer 2011

From the Publisher

Professor Spurr has written an eloquent, learned and moving book, which any one interested in Anglo-Catholicism and all lovers of Eliot's literary output should read.

Vol. XXXVII No. 1&2, Spring/Summer 2011 - Sheridan Gilley

How fortunate we are to have a well informed and highly readable one of that title [Anglo-Catholic in Religion] by the Australian scholar, Professor Barry Spurr. Without being either pietistic or dryly objective it places Anglo-Catholic teachings and practises within the context of Anglicanism and Christianity as a whole, and it traces, in the needed detail, the imprint of these teachings and practises on T.S. Elliot as a literary figure and churchman. It rises on occasion over and above this primary duty of exposition.

Vol. XXXVII No. 1&2, Spring/Summer 2011 - William Blissett

"Spurr considers every area of Eliot's writing with a view to showing what a full understanding of his religious ideas and practices might reveal."

Modern Believing, 54.3, July 2013 - David Fuller