Richard D. Altick

Richard D. Altick (1915-2008) was an influential American literary scholar and cultural historian, best known for his groundbreaking work on Victorian literature and reading culture. His most notable books include "The English Common Reader" (1957) and "Victorian People and Ideas" (1973), which helped establish the field of Victorian cultural studies. As a distinguished professor at Ohio State University for over three decades, Altick made significant contributions to understanding the social and intellectual history of nineteenth-century Britain. His research methodologies and attention to the history of reading habits transformed how scholars approach literary and cultural history. Beyond Victorian studies, Altick wrote extensively on academic writing and research methods, producing "The Art of Literary Research" (1963), which became a standard text for graduate students. His work "Lives and Letters: A History of Literary Biography in England and America" (1965) remains an important examination of biographical writing. Altick's scholarship was marked by meticulous attention to historical detail and an ability to connect literary developments with broader social changes. His final major work, "Punch: The Lively Youth of a British Institution" (1997), completed when he was in his eighties, demonstrated his continuing commitment to thorough historical research and cultural analysis.

Scholars and students frequently cite Altick's clear, precise writing style and exhaustive research. Readers appreciate his ability to make academic topics engaging, particularly in "The English Common Reader" and "The Art of Literary Research." What readers liked: - Clear explanations of research methods and scholarly writing techniques - Detailed historical context without becoming dry - Thorough documentation and references - Accessible writing style for academic works What readers disliked: - Dense information that requires focused reading - Some dated research approaches in older works - Limited availability of certain titles - Text-heavy format with few illustrations On Goodreads: - "The Art of Literary Research": 4.0/5 (42 ratings) - "The English Common Reader": 4.1/5 (89 ratings) - "Victorian People and Ideas": 3.9/5 (67 ratings) From Amazon reviews: "Invaluable guide for serious researchers" - reviewer on "Art of Literary Research" "Dense but rewarding exploration of Victorian reading culture" - reviewer on "English Common Reader"

The English Common Reader: A Social History of the Mass Reading Public, 1800-1900 (1957) Chronicles the development of literacy and reading habits among working-class readers in nineteenth-century Britain, examining social, economic, and educational factors.

Victorian People and Ideas (1973) Examines the major social, religious, scientific, and philosophical ideas that shaped Victorian society and culture.

The Scholar Adventurers (1950) Details the methods and discoveries of literary researchers and bibliographers who solved various literary mysteries and uncovered important historical documents.

Lives and Letters: A History of Literary Biography in England and America (1965) Traces the development of literary biography as a genre from the Middle Ages through the twentieth century.

The Shows of London (1978) Documents the history of London's public entertainments and exhibitions from 1600 to 1862, including museums, circuses, panoramas, and theatrical shows.

To Be in England (1969) Presents personal observations of British life and culture during the author's stays in England throughout the 1960s.

Victorian Studies in Scarlet (1970) Analyzes notable Victorian murder cases and their representation in contemporary media and literature.

The Art of Literary Research (1963) Provides instruction on research methods and techniques in literary studies, with examples from literary history.

Preface to Critical Reading (1946) Presents methods for analyzing and interpreting various types of written material, designed for college-level readers.

Robert Darnton Studies book history and reading practices in 18th century France and Europe. His work examines the intersection of intellectual history, cultural history, and the sociology of knowledge.

D.F. McKenzie Focuses on bibliography, book history, and the relationship between textual forms and meaning. His work established the field of sociology of texts and influenced how scholars understand the connection between physical books and their cultural impact.

Adrian Johns Investigates the history of printing, publishing, and intellectual property from the early modern period to present. His research explores how print culture shapes knowledge creation and dissemination.

Roger Chartier Examines reading practices and book history across different historical periods with emphasis on early modern Europe. His work connects material bibliography with cultural practices and representations.

Anthony Grafton Studies the cultural history of Renaissance Europe with focus on scholarly practices and the transmission of knowledge. His research covers the history of books, reading, and classical tradition in Western civilization.