| Republican Learning: John Toland and the Crisis of Christian Culture, 1696-1722 Contributor(s): Champion, Justin (Author) |
|
 |
ISBN: 0719080495 ISBN-13: 9780719080494 Publisher: Manchester University Press OUR PRICE: $28.45 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: April 2009 Annotation: This book explores the life, thought and political commitments of the free-thinker John Toland (1670-1722). Studying both his private archive and published works, it illustrates how Toland moved in both subversive and elite political circles in England and abroad. It explores the connections between his republican political thought and his irreligious belief about Christian doctrine, the ecclesiastical establishment and divine revelation, arguing that far from being a marginal and insignificant figure, Toland counted queens, princes and government ministers as his friends and political associates. In particular his intimate relationship with the Electress Sophia of Hanover saw him act as a court philosopher, but also as a powerful publicist for the Hanoverian succession. Overall the book illustrates how Toland's ideas and influence impacted upon English political life between the 1690s and the 1720s. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Philosophy | History & Surveys - Modern - History | Europe - Great Britain - General - Religion | Christianity - History |
| Dewey: 192 |
| Series: Politics, Culture and Society in Early Modern Britain |
| Physical Information: 0.58" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" (0.86 lbs) 272 pages |
| Themes: - Religious Orientation - Christian - Cultural Region - British Isles |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: This book explores the life, thought and political commitments of the free-thinker John Toland (1670-1722). Studying both his private archive and published works, it illustrates how Toland moved in both subversive and elite political circles in England and abroad. It explores the connections between his republican political thought and his irreligious belief about Christian doctrine, the ecclesiastical establishment and divine revelation, arguing that far from being a marginal and insignificant figure, Toland counted queens, princes and government ministers as his friends and political associates. The book argues that Toland shaped the republican tradition after the Glorious Revolution into a practical and politically viable programme, focused not on destroying the monarchy, but on reforming public religion and the Church of England. It explores the connections between Toland's erudition and print culture, arguing that his intellectual project was aimed at compromising the authority of Christian 'knowledge' as much as the political power of the Church. |