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!

Professor Rosemary Ashton, a literary historian and author of 'One Hot Summer', dives into the olfactory horrors of 1858 London. The episode explores how the sweltering heat and rampant sewage led to a public health crisis. Discussions include the failure of traditional sanitation methods, John Snow's pivotal cholera studies, and the dramatic moment when Parliament had to flee due to the stench. The narrative highlights Benjamin Disraeli's leadership and Joseph Bazalgette's revolutionary sewer plan that transformed urban sanitation and public health.

Literature scholars Rosemary Ashton, Dinah Birch, and Valentine Cunningham discuss how George Eliot's novel Silas Marner reflects her moral views through themes of social ostracism, redemption, and religious symbolism. The podcast explores Eliot's evolution as a novelist, her intellectual journey, and the influence of thinkers like Auguste Comte on her writing. They highlight the author's deep conviction that societal connection is essential, evident in her wide-ranging publications encompassing novels, poetry, and literary criticism.