The Profession of Letters

"The Profession of Letters" is a seminal study that examines the sociological and economic conditions of the English literary world during a period of profound transition. Focusing on the years between 1780 and 1832, A.S. Collins explores the shift from a system of private aristocratic patronage to a burgeoning commercial marketplace driven by a growing middle-class reading public. The work provides a detailed analysis of the evolving relationships between authors, publishers, and their aud...