"The Romantics and the British landscape focuses on the work of four of the most famous Romantic poets, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Keats and John Clare, and reveals how their appreciation of the natural world was highly subjective, changing according to the writer's purpose, mood and state of mind ..." --book jacket.
Exploring the concept of genius, this book delves into the nature of exceptional ability that sets certain individuals apart. It examines the rarity and mystery surrounding genius, suggesting that it is an innate gift rather than a result of effort or dedication. The text invites readers to reflect on the essence of creativity and the unique traits that define those who possess extraordinary talents, challenging conventional notions of achievement.
Drawing on the archives of both the Bodleian and New York Public Library, this book offers a uniquely visual and insightful account of the lives and posthumous reputations of Percy Bysshe Shelley, his wife Mary Shelley, and Mary's parents, William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft.
The Radcliffe Camera is one of the most celebrated buildings in Oxford. Instantly recognizable, its great dome rises amid the Gothic spires of the University. Through early maps, plans and drawings, portraits, engravings and photographs this book tells the fascinating story of its creation and describes its place within Oxford University.
What sets Mary Shelley's Frankenstein apart from so many other famous works of fiction? What special combination of creativity and vision made possible the drafting of Mag¬na Carta? When describing exceptional accomplishments like these - and the men and women behind them - we use the word 'genius'. And while genius is difficult to define, we all recognize that elusive, special quality when we encounter it.Marks of Genius pays tribute to some of the most remarkable testaments to genius throughout human history, from ancient texts on papyrus and the extraordinary medieval manuscript The Douce Apocalypse to the renowned children's work The Wind in the Willows. Bringing together some of the most impressive treasures from the collections of the Bodleian Libraries, it tells the story of the creation of each work and its afterlife, offering insight into the breadth and depth of its influence as well as its power to fascinate.Illustrating works from Euclid, Dante and Handel to Einstein, Austen and Gandhi, Marks of Genius showcases over 100 books and manuscripts that constitute the pinnacle of human creativity and which we continue to revere and revisit.