The Victorian Eye (Hardcover, New)

During the nineteenth century, Britain became the first gaslit society, with electric lighting arriving in 1878. At the same time, the British government significantly expanded its power to observe and monitor its subjects. How did such enormous changes in the way people saw and were seen affect Victorian culture? To answer that question, Chris Otter mounts an ambitious history of illumination and vision in Britain, drawing on extensive research into everything from the science of perception and lighting technologies to urban design and government administration. He explores how light facilitated such practices as safe transportation and private reading, as well as institutional efforts to collect knowledge. And he contends that, contrary to presumptions that illumination helped create a society controlled by intrusive surveillance, the new radiance often led to greater personal freedom and was integral to the development of modern liberal society.
"The Victorian Eye"'s innovative interdisciplinary approach--and generous illustrations---will captivate a range of readers interested in the history of modern Britain, visual culture, technology, and urbanization.

General

Imprint:	University of Chicago Press
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	July 2008
First published:	July 2008
Authors:	Chris Otter
Dimensions:	236 x 151 x 27mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	392
Edition:	New
ISBN-13:	978-0-226-64076-1
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > World history > 1750 to 1900 Books > Humanities > History > British & Irish history > General Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > General Books > Professional & Technical > Civil engineering, surveying & building > Building construction & materials > Heating, lighting, ventilation Books > History > British & Irish history > General Books > History > History of specific subjects > General Books > History > World history > 1750 to 1900
LSN:	0-226-64076-0
Barcode:	9780226640761

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