The English Common Reader

A Social History of the Mass Reading Public, 1800–1900, Second Edition

Richard D. Altick
Foreword by Jonathan Rose

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The English Common Reader “is a comprehensive pioneer survey of the social, economic, and political factors which have conditioned the reading of the middle and lower classes in England in the nineteenth century, with three initial chapters about earlier reading and a final glance at later developments. This perhaps sounds formidable; but, packed though the book is with facts, figures and ‘quotes,’ it is as fascinatingly interesting as it is instructive.” —New York Times Book Review

“Altick’s book has inspired a vast range of scholarship over the past forty years, but it has not been superseded. . . . It still provides a fine overview of all the subfields that interest book historians: literacy, publishing, bookselling, libraries, periodicals and newspapers, education (elementary and adult), as well as the reading public. The new introduction and bibliography markedly enhance its usefulness as a classroom text.” —Jonathan Rose, Drew University

“Altick’s book remains the essential starting point for understanding nineteenth-century British literacy, modes of publication and reading audiences. The English Common Reader has gone missing from both the academic libraries . . . as well as from the local public library—and that, I assume, is proof of how great a value it has for junior scholars who don't already own a copy.” —Sally Mitchell, Temple University

The English Common Reader was the first comprehensive and systematic exploration of how the ordinary Englishman became a reader. A rich social history as well as a history of the English reading public, the book has become a classic. It will continue to be read and enjoyed by scholars and students as we make our way through another age of profound social change for the reader and for the book. The author has provided a new preface and an extensive new bibliography for this edition.

Richard D. Altick is Regent’s Professor of English at The Ohio State University and the author of numerous works including Punch: The Lively Youth of a British Institution, 1841–1851 (Ohio State University Press). Jonathan Rose is the founder and past president of the Society for the History of Authorship, Reading and Publishing.