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The Victorians Who Made Britain: Jacob Rees-Mogg vs Tristram Hunt

May 24, 2019

Guest

Tristram Hunt

Guest

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg

Jacob Rees-Mogg, Conservative MP and author of "The Victorians: Twelve Titans Who Forged Britain," argues for the Victorian era’s moral certainty and reformative spirit as a guide for modern Britain. He praises notable figures like Palmerston and Victoria for their contributions to democracy and social changes. In contrast, Tristram Hunt, a historian and director of the V&A, questions this idealized view, emphasizing the complexities of the era including imperialism and gender representation. Their debate reflects on historical legacies and their relevance in today's post-Brexit landscape.

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ANECDOTE

Shared Birthday

Jacob Rees-Mogg shares a birthday with Queen Victoria, sparking his interest in her.
This led him to write "The Victorians" to counter Lytton Strachey's negative portrayal.

insights

INSIGHT

Arbitrary Selection

Rees-Mogg aimed to highlight Victorian achievements, not satisfy specific political viewpoints.
He defends his selection of twelve "titans" as arbitrary but significant.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

One Woman

Rees-Mogg explains his choice of only one woman, Queen Victoria, for his book.
He felt other prominent women were "too obvious" and the era was male-dominated.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Clash of Perspectives: The Legacy of Victorian Britain

01:43 • 4min

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Victorian Perspectives and Historical Narratives

05:48 • 18min

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Dicey's Perspective on the British Constitution

24:15 • 5min

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Political Strategies and Constitutional Choices

29:16 • 2min

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Historical Insights and Political Futures

30:49 • 12min

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Brexit and Political Legacy

42:52 • 18min

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Confidence and Masculinity in Victorian Society

01:00:40 • 2min

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The Victorians

Twelve Titans who Forged Britain

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg

In 'The Victorians', Jacob Rees-Mogg presents a provocative portrayal of the Victorian era, focusing on twelve influential figures who shaped Britain into a global power. The book explores themes of ambition, self-belief, and industriousness, showcasing how these Victorians transformed the nation through achievements in trade, diplomacy, engineering, and architecture.

Victorian cities

Asa Briggs

Victorian Cities by Asa Briggs is a comprehensive study that explores the rapid growth and development of cities during the Victorian era. The book focuses on cities such as Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Melbourne, and London, providing insights into their social, political, and topographical changes. It serves as a companion volume to Briggs' other works, Victorian People and Victorian Things.

Building Jerusalem

Tristram Hunt

In 'Building Jerusalem', Tristram Hunt explores the Victorian era's transformation of British cities into vibrant centers of culture and commerce. The book delves into the controversies and visions that shaped cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham, highlighting the influence of figures such as Dickens, Engels, and Carlyle. It also examines the shift from civic to municipal governance and the eventual decline of these urban centers in the 20th century.

Building Jerusalem

Tristram Hunt

In 'Building Jerusalem', Tristram Hunt delves into the Victorian era's urban transformation, highlighting the creation of grand civic structures and the influence of various ideals on city development. The book explores how the Victorians aimed to emulate Renaissance city-states, turning industrial sites into symbols of freedom and art, until the decline in the twentieth century.

The Frock-Coated Communist

Tristram Hunt

This book delves into the life of Friedrich Engels, highlighting his devoted friendship with Karl Marx, class compromise, ideological struggles, and family betrayals. It is set against the backdrop of revolutionary Europe and industrializing England.

Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution

A. V. Dicey

A. V. Dicey's "Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution" is a foundational text in British constitutional law. Published in 1885, it explores key principles of the British system, notably parliamentary sovereignty. Dicey's work emphasizes the supremacy of Parliament and its ability to make and unmake laws without constraint. The book also examines the rule of law and the relationship between the government and the judiciary. It remains a significant contribution to constitutional scholarship, influencing legal and political thought for over a century. Its analysis of parliamentary sovereignty continues to be debated and refined in contemporary constitutional discussions.

#3084

• Mentioned in 9 episodes

Profiles in Courage

John F. Kennedy

Written by John F. Kennedy in 1955, 'Profiles in Courage' chronicles the lives and actions of eight U.S. Senators who stood by their principles despite significant personal and political risks. The book highlights acts of political courage throughout American history, emphasizing the importance of moral integrity and the willingness to make difficult decisions for the greater good. It includes detailed profiles of senators such as John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Thomas Hart Benton, Sam Houston, and Edmund G. Ross, among others. The narratives serve as a testament to the enduring impact of courageous decisions on American history and offer timeless lessons on leadership, integrity, and the complexities of democratic governance.

#9438

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Eminent Victorians

Lytton Strachey

Published in 1918, 'Eminent Victorians' is a groundbreaking work by Lytton Strachey that challenged the traditional Victorian biographical style. The book consists of four biographical essays that use literary devices such as paradox, antithesis, hyperbole, and irony to portray its subjects. Strachey's approach was irreverent and witty, aiming to puncture the myths surrounding these Victorian icons. While Florence Nightingale is treated more sympathetically, the other subjects are depicted in a less-than-flattering light, revealing their flaws and human frailties. The book was a significant departure from the conventional biographies of the time and had a profound impact on the genre.

#4701

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

Victoria, the queen

Julia Baird

This biography by Julia Baird delves into the significant chapters of Queen Victoria's life, shedding new light on events and people that have long been shrouded in myth. The book covers her strict upbringing, her marriage to Prince Albert, her deep grief following his death, and her relationships with various Prime Ministers and her confidant John Brown. Baird uses extensive research, including previously inaccessible documents and Victoria's journals, to provide a richer and more human view of the queen. The narrative highlights Victoria's influence on the British Empire, her struggles with autonomy, and her unique position as a powerful woman in a patriarchal society.

For Jacob Rees-Mogg the 19th century was a golden era. It was a time of moral certainty, of a global vision for Great Britain, and a confidence in the essential goodness of our great nation. And it is a period of history that offers us guidance as we collectively seek a way forward for Britain in these confusing times. In a new book Rees-Mogg celebrates twelve prominent figures from the Victorian era, including the statesmen Palmerston, Peel, Gladstone and Disraeli, two military leaders, Napier and Gordon, and of course Victoria herself and her consort Albert. Rees-Mogg salutes the Victorians’ drive and reforming zeal – to lower the cost of food, reform the prison system and abolish the slave trade. They bequeathed us a stable democracy, the rule of law and freedom of speech, which led to the stable and prosperous state we enjoy today, Rees-Mogg argues. There is much that we can emulate in the Victorians’ sense of duty and self-belief. While few would deny that the modern age owes a debt to the Victorians, many would argue that Rees-Mogg’s vision is a somewhat blinkered one, reflecting his own position as a Conservative MP on the right of the party and an ardent Brexiteer who believes in a post-Brexit global Britain. Joining Rees-Mogg on stage to challenge his views was Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, former Labour MP and historian of the Victorian era. Rees-Mogg believes that if Britain can regain the self-confidence, moral certainty and outward-looking vision of the Victorians, we will thrive. But in the complex, interconnected world of the 21st century, is this vision of Britain not an outdated one?

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