Writing the Thames
Writing the Thames by Christina Hardyment, published by Bodleian Library, University of Oxford in 2016, is an illustrated collection that explores the rich literary and artistic heritage inspired by the Thames River. This edition, comprising 274 pages, presents a diverse array of poetry, artwork, and excerpts from notable prose, highlighting the river’s significance in the works of authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens, and Kenneth Grahame.
Readers will find chapters that delve into various historical events and literary themes associated with the Thames, including Julius Caesar’s crossing and the artistic endeavors of topographers. The book features lively accounts of boats and riverside retreats, alongside beloved children’s literature inspired by the river, such as The Wind in the Willows. With seventy full-color illustrations, Writing the Thames offers a comprehensive look at the cultural and social history surrounding this iconic waterway, celebrating the writers and artists who have contributed to its legacy.
Official synopsis Publisher
From Arthur Conan Doyle to Charles Dickens, Colin Dexter to Kenneth Grahame, writers and artists have often taken inspiration from the Thames. Gathering poetry, artwork, and short excerpts from longer prose, Writing the Thames includes chapters on topics that dominate in literary and artistic depictions of the Thames, from historical events like Julius Caeser’s crossing in 55 BCE and Elizabeth I’s stand against the Spanish at Tilbury to the explorations of the topographers who mapped and drew the river to the many authors, including Thomas More, Francis Bacon, William Morris, and Henry James, who enjoyed riverside retreats. A chapter on boats features the frenetic rowers from Zuleika Dobson, a camping tale from Three Men in a Boat, and the story of William Hogarth’s impulsive five-day trip down the river with four inebriated friends. Some of the best-loved children’s literature has also been inspired by the Thames, including The Wind in the Willows.
Beautifully illustrated with seventy full-color illustrations, this book tells the river’s remarkable story through art, poetry, and prose, while celebrating the writers who helped form its enduring legacy.
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