Lectures in Intellectual History

Beauty and the Footnote: Universities and the Study of Literature

Jul 28, 2025
Stefan Collini, Professor Emeritus of Intellectual History and English Literature at the University of Cambridge, shares insights on the complex evolution of English literature as an academic discipline. He discusses the struggle between literature’s artistic nature and the scientific expectations of academia. Collini highlights the unconventional journeys of key literary figures, the challenges faced by pioneering women like Caroline Spurgeon and Edith Morley, and critiques of early 20th-century English literary scholarship. This discussion raises profound questions about the role of universities and societal views on literature.
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ANECDOTE

George Saintsbury's Career Shift

  • George Saintsbury shifted from a career in literary journalism to become a professor of English literature.
  • He once wrote five reviews of the same book simultaneously for different publications, using anonymity to do so.
ANECDOTE

I.A. Richards’ Unconventional Start

  • I.A. Richards casually started his academic career with a friend convincing Cambridge to let him give lectures on literature.
  • The professor responsible only knew him as a first-class graduate with a red nose but trusted the recommendation.
INSIGHT

Informal Early English Professorships

  • Early professors of English often lacked formal training in the subject and postgraduate study.
  • Their careers showed flexibility and serendipity rather than a professionalized career path.
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