Database Highlight: Nineteenth Century British Pamphlets via JSTOR

Nineteenth Century British Pamphlets via JSTOR

In the days before the instant communication offered by the email, texting, tweeting and other messaging applications, how did politically active people communicate their point or promote their causes to the public?  The answer in the 19^th Century (1800-1899) at least in English-speaking countries was the pamphlet, a small printed tract taking one side of an issue or urging the reader to action.  Most activists of that time period used the printed word or public speeches as a way to influence public opinion, mobilize people to action or to inform the public of a problem.  Since the printed word could reach more people than speaking, often speeches by popular activists were printed and sold to the wider public.  The database 19^th Century British Pamphlets contains the full text and images for over 20,000 pamphlets published in Great Britain during the 19^th century. 

These pamphlets are a sub-collection found in another historical database that you may be familiar with, JSTOR. The pamphlets are organized by the source of the collection, such as the Bristol papers, Foreign and Commonwealth Office collection, etc.  Collections have descriptions of the general contents on the home page of the collection, for example:

Wilson Anti-Slavery Collection: Description

A collection of 19th-century anti-slavery pamphlets received in 1923 from the executors of Henry Joseph Wilson (1833-1914), the distinguished Liberal Member of Parliament for Sheffield. The collection is of particular importance for the study of the activities of the provincial philanthropic societies, such as the Birmingham and Midland Freedmen's Aid Association, the Birmingham and West Bromwich Ladies' Negro's Friend Society, the Glasgow Emancipation Society, the Manchester Union and Emancipation Society, and the Sheffield Ladies Female Anti-Slavery Society. Of interest is the prominent role of women in the movement, who formed themselves into societies which lobbied MPs and printed pamphlets on the conditions of slaves. Here we have details of what was sold at their bazaars to raise funds and lists of names of subscribers, the minutiae which bring alive the history of the movement.

Within these larger collections the pamphlets are broken down for browsing by year of publication.  When searching for a pamphlet do not use the search box found at the top of the main collection list, this searches the entire JSTOR database.  Instead, click on a collection and use the “search this collection” box to limit your search to one of the pamphlet collections. 

Some of the topics covered are things that were large issues during the 19^th Century such as slavery, home rule for Ireland and Scotland and relations between the Confederate States of America and Britain. Others concern political struggles of the time and still others have echoes in the present day in topics such as genocide, socialism versus individualism, capital punishment and compulsory vaccinations.  Many of the pamphlets discuss religious issues ranging from the nature of the human soul, to anti-Catholicism, universal education for children (something that did not become common until the late 19^th century), drinking, and the opium trade.

NOTE: The above articles are only a sample of pamphlets available.

When should I use this database? If you are enrolled in any of the courses leading to a minor in Victorian studies, this database offers a unique view at some of the topics and opinions held by the pamphlet writers of 19^th century Britain.  It can also offer an historic perspective on topics still in the news.

 

Access to databases is limited to the current students, staff, and faculty of Monmouth College.