About the publication
Our modern notions of privacy have their roots in the early modern period. When studying this historical background, one of the most important sources is correspondence. Letters sent from one person to another reflect specific situations, ideas, thoughts, emotions and experiences. Contextualising an epistolary exchange provides information about the world and values of past individuals.
This volume presents essays that deal with a variety of early modern correspondence. The letters analysed, written in French, Dutch, German and English, refer to very different contexts and cultural codes. While each of the letters in question has its own unique story to tell, all contributions come together by focusing on notions of privacy. From the intimacy that unfolds in educational exchanges to specific letter-writers and their strategic use of the private, this volume offers ground-breaking insights that will be relevant to many different researchers and their respective fields: the history of science, the history of Christianity, the history of travel writing and education, gender studies, and the history of diplomacy. In addition, the contributions also tackle the issue of publishing letters in the early modern period, both as a cultural phenomenon and as a material praxis.
Together, the essays show how "privacy" was an ambiguous term in the early modern period; the letter as literary genre and a means of communication demonstrates how privacy was perceived both as valuable and as a potential threat.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PUBLICATION
The work was published by Brepols – an international academic publishing house that publishes works in the field of humanities, with particular emphasis on history, archaeology, art history, linguistics and literary studies, as well as critical editions of source works.
About the authors
Dr hab. Michaël Green, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz is an employee of the University of Lodz. He obtained his PhD degree from the University of Groningen (2013) and habilitation from the University of Lodz (2023). He is the author of the following books: The Huguenot Jean Rou (1638-1711): Scholar, Educator, Civil Servant (2015); Le Grand Tour 1701-1703. Lettres de Henry Bentinck et de son précepteur Paul Rapin-Thoyras, à Hans Willem Bentinck (2021) and An Interreligious Dialogue: Portrayal of Jews in Dutch French-Language Periodicals (1680–1715) (2022).
Lars Cyril Nørgaard, Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen, obtained his PhD degree from the University of Copenhagen (2017). He is the editor of the book entitled Les petites livres Secrets, Suivi de divers textes copié of Madame de Maintenon (2023).
Information: Dr hab. Michaël Green, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz
Source: Brepols