Barry, Elizabeth C.. (2008) From epitaph to obituary : death and celebrity in eighteenth-century British culture. International Journal of Cultural Studies, Vol.11 (No.3). pp. 259-275. ISSN 1367-8779

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Abstract

This article explores the emergence of the obituary in British eighteenth-century print journalism, at a moment when the verse epitaph was in irrevocable decline. The new form of death memorial that the obituary represents reflected a changing attitude to death, and a new phase in its relationship with fame. Many of the features of the present-day phenomenon of celebrity can be identified as emerging in the eighteenth century, and we recognize all too well today the explosion of commerce and the new forms of deregulated media that produced this phenomenon. Death became 'news' in the context of the new transience and mobility of printed text, and the dead gained renown not only for historically momentous acts, or lasting works of art or intellect, but also for ephemeral skills and talents such as acting, singing, sports and eccentric feats of memory or agility. Celebrity — short-lived fame — became a feature of British society, and the untimely or dramatic death began to create as well as test this new kind of fame. The obituary plays a key role in this process, this article argues, and represents an important mechanism for introducing modern notions of fame and celebrity into British society

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GT Manners and customs H Social Sciences > HM Sociology P Language and Literature > PR English literature
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts > English and Comparative Literary Studies
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Death -- Great Britain -- 18th century, Fame -- 18th century, Epitaphs -- Great Britain -- 18th century, Obituaries -- Great Britain -- 18th century, Journalism -- Great Britain -- 18th century, Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 18th century
Journal or Publication Title:	International Journal of Cultural Studies
Publisher:	Sage Publications Ltd.
ISSN:	1367-8779
Official Date:	September 2008
Volume:	Vol.11
Number:	No.3
Page Range:	pp. 259-275
Identification Number:	10.1177/1367877908092584
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/37244

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