The Society of Authors, 1884-1914: Professional Association and Literary Property

Start date: 1 October 2020
End date: 30 October 2024
Funder: Leverhulme Trust
Primary investigator: Professor Richard Salmon
Co-investigators: Dr Emily Bell
External co-investigators: Dr Andrew Nash (IES), Professor Clare Pettitt (KCL)

Value

£344, 805

Partners and collaborators

Institute of English Studies, University of London; Kings College London

Postgraduate students

Gillian Neale (IES)

Description

This project will examine the formation and early history of the Society of Authors (1884-1914), the most successful professional literary association of the nineteenth century, and still in existence today.

Through extensive primary research on the Society’s archive and official publications, it will offer the first comprehensive scholarly assessment of the Society’s work in support of professional association, literary property, and members’ careers.

Culminating in the publication of a collaborative critical study and an edited anthology of primary sources, the project will shed new light on late-Victorian and Edwardian literary culture, and on the wider professionalization of authorship in Britain.