A Cultural History of Leisure in the Age of Enlightenment

In the Age of Enlightenment (1650-1800) the word ‘leisure’ had a limited presence in intellectual discourse, but in public debates about related concepts such as pleasure and luxury modern practices of and attitudes towards leisure were increasingly discussed. Not surprisingly, as leisure acquired an increasing presence in the economy and in the patterns of people’s lives. Between low cost popular entertainments and high cost elite culture, commercial entrepreneurs developed a growing range of leisure pursuits for a growing market. Leisure became more sharply defined: in recreational spaces and specific leisure destinations such as spa towns and seaside resorts, as well as in time. How did various people navigate between aspects of leisure that were celebrated or contested? How did the rise of polite culture and competitive emulation impact on shifting trends? A Cultural History of Leisure in the Age of Enlightenment, with particular attention to the British experience, presents an overview of key themes and trends in this period, with essays on: Ideas of leisure; The performing arts and their audiences; The cerebral arts and their publics; Sports and games; Holydays, holidays and tourism; The world of conviviality; The world of goods; The world of nature; Representations of leisure.