The correspondence (1779-1843) of Mary Hays, British novelist

Author(s)

• Hays, Mary, 1759 or 60
• Brooks, Marilyn L.

Bibliographic Information

The correspondence (1779-1843) of Mary Hays, British novelist

edited by Marilyn L. Brooks

（Mellen critical editions and translations, v. 13）

Edwin Mellen Press, c2004

Uniform Title

Correspondence

Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. [601]-618) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Mary Hays is known for her literary works and as a formidable member of radical circles in the late eighteenth century. Her letters help the reader understand the extent of her engagement with contemporary issues and how these were voiced in her writings. Until now no full edition of the letters has appeared and earlier selections were greatly abridged. This new edition of almost 400 letters reaffirms Hays' position within literary and radical circles and provides an important background against which to assess the importance of her writings. Because letters from as well as to Hays are included, we are able to see how much her opinions were sought and assess her importance within sensibility, rational philosophy and the development of feminism. The letters span a long period beginning with her youthful correspondence where we see her 'story' unfolding as she grapples with the implications and vocabulary of sensibility, and strove to give meaning to her life, then her engagement with the demands of Dissent and the beginnings of her writing career.Family and friends supply background details of her influential behavior on others and the correspondence with well-known writers reveal her centrality in contemporary literary circles. The final letters to Henry Crabb Robinson show that even in her reclusive old age she was still engaging with philosophical issues and liberal discussion. It would seem that, here, Hays takes on the role of mentor so often assigned to men of her acquaintance. Hence, we find several 'Mary Hays' in this collection and the letters help clarify some of the 'myths' surrounding her. This book which contains almost 400 letters contributes to a greater understanding of the contemporary time and its issues and will enable greater awareness of the central position of Mary Hays within it. Scholars interested not only in the life of Mary Hays but also in the emergence of Romanticism and contemporary life in general will find in these letters invaluable source material.

Table of Contents

• Foreword
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• A chronology of Mary Hays
• Note on the letters and the collections
• Introduction
• 1. Mary/John correspondence 1778-9
• 2. Dissenters' correspondence 1782-1814
• 3. Writers' correspondence 1792-1826
• 4. Hays/Godwin correspondence 1794-1800
• 5. Family correspondence 1794-1843
• 6. Friends' correspondence 1796-1820
• 7. Henry Crabb Robinson correspondence 1802-42
• Appendices
• Bibliography
• Index

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

• NCID: BA71541296
• ISBN:
  • 0773463577
• LCCN: 2004049913
• Country Code: us
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Place of Publication: Lewiston, N.Y.
• Pages/Volumes: xx, 632 p.
• Size: 24 cm
• Classification:
  • LCC : PR4769.H6
  • DC22 : 823/.7
• Subject Headings:
  • LCSH : Hays, Mary, 1759 or 60-1843 -- Correspondence
  • LCSH : Novelists, English -- 18th century -- Correspondence
  • LCSH : Novelists, English -- 19th century -- Correspondence
  • LCSH : Radicals -- Great Britain -- Correspondence
• Parent Bibliography ID:
  • BA5584405X