The Year That Shaped the Victorian Age - Lives, Loves and Letters of 1845

Explore the pivotal year of 1845 and its profound impact on shaping the Victorian Age in this 53-minute episode of Contours: The Cambridge Literary Studies Hour. Presented by Professor Ato Quayson, delve into the critical events and developments that defined this transformative period. Examine the effects of the new poor law, the onset of the Irish potato blight, and John Henry Newman's conversion to Roman Catholicism on the Church of England. Discover how revolutionary movements in Europe, threats of mass insurrection in England, and advancements in railway transport, communications, literature, and the arts collectively molded Victorian England. Through pivotal correspondence, pamphlets, articles, and cartoons, uncover the riveting story of this seismic epoch as told through the lives, loves, and letters of leading contemporary figures. Gain insights into Michael Wheeler's argument that 1845 was the crucible year that shaped the Victorian era, offering a comprehensive understanding of this significant historical period.