Routledge Biology and the Literary Imagination, 1860-1900

Explore the deep connection between science and fiction in this Routledge Revival title. Originally published in 1984, Peter Morton examines how late Victorian novelists and essayists utilized post-Darwinian biology to fuel their creative works. This study looks at the years between 1860 and 1900, a period marked by significant scientific shifts and debate. During this era, the natural selection hypothesis faced intense scrutiny, leading to widespread uncertainty in the field of biology. Writers of the time took advantage of these scientific debates, finding ideas that could be transformed through imagination. Morton shows how these authors used biological theories to support their artistic goals or their polemic arguments. This book provides a detailed look at how uncertainty in the natural sciences provided a foundation for literary innovation. It is a valuable resource for those interested in the history of science, Victorian literature, and the way biological concepts shape human storytelling.