Godwinian Moments: From the Enlightenment to Romanticism

Godwinian Moments is the first ever book collection on the work of William Godwin, the radical British philosopher, novelist, and pamphleteer who contributed extensively to the political and cultural shifts of 1783 to 1834. These essays reveal Godwin as a manyfaceted thinker, pursuing progressive change through various genres and discursive contexts, while confronting moments of tension and contradiction in his views.

Leading scholars of British Romanticism examine his writings both well-known, such as Caleb Williams and Political Justice, and neglected, including The Inquirer, Mandeville, and his dramas. Along with sections on his engagements with radicalism and with history, this collection provides a fascinating look at his relations with philanthropist Thomas Wedgwood and Jewish radical John King. Godwinian Moments is a valuable resource for understanding the intellectual and societal shifts of the long nineteenth-century.