A History of the Early English Text Society Vol. I, The Early Years: Frederick James Furnivall, 1825-1864

The Early English Text Society (EETS) was founded in 1864 by F. J. Furnivall, in part to supply lexicographical material for the Philological Society's 'New English Dictionary' (now the Oxford English Dictionary). Many medieval English texts were hitherto unprinted, or only in scarce editions, and hence unavailable to the Dictionary's readers. But Furnivall and his associates were also fascinated by these texts for their insights into medieval and early modern social history: Furnivall, social reformer and founding member of the Working Men's College, and under Carlyle's influence, read the material as a mirror from which political lessons could be learned for his own times. Initially he published medieval texts through the Philological Society but, asked to find another outlet, decided to found his own publishing society. This first volume (of three) of the EETS's history takes the story from Furnivall's birth to the beginnings of the EETS. It offers much new material concerning Furnivall's biography as a young man, as well his associates in the College (including Ruskin and the Pre-Raphaelites), and the EETS's early editors (including Richard Morris and Oswald Cockayne).

Helen Leith Spencer, Fellow Emerita, Exeter College, University of Oxford

Helen Spencer has taught medieval English language and literature as a Fellow of Exeter College, and Lecturer at the University of Oxford since 1992. She has been involved with the running of the EETS since 1991 (Executive Secretary), as Editorial Secretary for 31 years (1992-2023), and now as Honorary Director.

IntroductionPART 1: From Tory to Socialist: 1825-18581. Early years: 1825-18422. Furnivall at Cambridge: 1842-18483. Lincoln's Inn and the London Working Men and Women: 1846-18524. Christian Socialism and Socialising: Prelude to the Working Men's College: 1851-18535. Beginnings of the Working Men's College: 1854-18576. Slander and Strife: Disagreements within the Working Men's College: 1857-1858PART 2 How a Lincoln's Inn Lawyer became an 'Editor of Old Books': 1858-18647. Furnivall and the Philological Society of London8. Furnivall's first editions: 'Wicked Birds,' Handling Sin, and 'Rose-Pink Notions'9. The Philological Society and the beginnings of the EETSAppendix 1: Correspondence relating to the appearance and history of Great Fosters HouseAppendix 2: An account by a schoolboy of a visit to the Working Men's College, October, 1857, with a report of the address given by John RuskinBibliography