Rosemary Ashton

Join Rosemary Ashton, Emeritus Professor of English Language and Literature at University College London, as she delves into the notorious Great Stink of 1858. Discover how the stifling heat and pollution in the Thames led to public outrage and significant sanitation reforms. Ashton highlights the cholera outbreaks that plagued Victorian London and the groundbreaking work of engineer Joseph Bazalgette, who revolutionized the city's sewage system. The conversation also uncovers misconceptions about disease and the media's role in fostering environmental awareness.

Rosemary Ashton, an expert in 19th-century literature, Stephen Halliday, who authored a detailed account of the Great Stink, and Paul Dobraszczyk, a lecturer on architectural history, delve into the foul odors of the River Thames that horrified Victorian London. They discuss how the summer of 1858 spurred drastic sanitation reforms attributed to engineer Joseph Bazalgette. The conversation highlights the connection between urban growth, public health crises, and the revolutionary sewer systems that transformed the city and its hygiene for future generations.

Join Sir Jonathan Bate, an expert on Coleridge's life, Tom Mole, who dives into the poem's structure, and Rosemary Ashton, who discusses the context of Coleridge's early years. They explore the profound themes of guilt and redemption in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,' revealing how Coleridge's struggles with addiction influenced his revisions. The group also examines the haunting symbol of the albatross and the lasting impact of the poem on literature and our relationship with nature. It's a rich dive into the soul of Romantic poetry!