Imagining Great Britain, Europe and the Colonies in the Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure (1747-1814). An Enquiry into the foundation of Britishness
The 18th century witnessed a significant evolution of national identities across the European continent. In Great Britain, this process encountered challenges in reconciling three distinct regional identities: Scotland, Ireland, and England retained separate identities characterized by distinct customs, histories, and traditions. Consequently, efforts to cultivate a shared sense of Britishness turned to the English periodical press. The increasing readership of newspapers played a pivotal role in defining a cohesive British national identity. This thesis examines the emergence of Britishness within a specific monthly periodical, the Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure (1747-1814). As implied by its title, the Universal Magazine sought to cover a diverse array of topics in its articles, making its contribution to fostering a sense of national unity indispensable. In line with the notion of a gradual emergence of national identity in Great Britain, this thesis investigates the role of print culture in shaping Britishness. Emphasizing themes concerning the relationship between Great Britain and other national identities, including internal divisions within the British Isles, the study explores how cultural and political developments influenced conceptions of British identity and national and international politics. Thus, the thesis aligns with the concept of a national identity forged in response to 18th-century events in Europe and North America. Using the Universal Magazine as a primary source, this study analyzes a selection of articles relevant to the aforementioned themes. This selection was curated following a preliminary process of cataloguing and indexing all articles published in the magazine during its existence (1747-1814), given the absence of prior studies on this specific periodical. Ultimately, the thesis aims to provide insights into the themes and political inclinations of the Universal Magazine. In line with the perspectives of scholars such as L. Colley and B. Anderson, who advocate for the national press as a unifying force, this thesis offers a conceptual framework for understanding the connections between Great Britain and continental Enlightenment culture. It demonstrates how this intersection influenced the formation of Britishness.
Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure, Britishness, Great Britain, Europe, Colonies, 18th century, periodical press, Settore M-STO/02 - Storia Moderna
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations