Radical in Moderation: The Persuasive Strategy of Anna Laetitia Barbauld's Political and Religious Writings

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the work of Anna Laetitia Barbauld (1743-1825), a writer and educator active during the Romantic literary period in Britain. My main argument is that her works express a distinctive philosophy which bridges the gap between political radicalism and moderation. While she promoted liberal ideas across her writings, she was equally concerned with the power of persuasion for changing minds. This concern was informed by her occupation as an educator, given how she communicates the importance of tolerance and inquiry in her works for children. A similar imperative is seen in Barbauld’s political pamphlets, where she encourages her readers to consider ideas that they might find disagreeable. In a period where there are often binary distinctions between radical and conservative schools of thought, I believe an examination of Barbauld’s philosophy has the potential to introduce important nuances in the discussion of politics during the Romantic era.