The aim of this lecture (with which the lecture “Literary History from the Early Modern Period to ?” from the summer term continues) is to give an overview of English literature from 1800 to the present. This overview will include traditional aspects of literary history (the history of genres, poetics etc.) as well as an account of the material and cultural factors impinging upon literature (patronage, reading publics, etc.). The idea is to give students a broader picture, but that picture will necessarily be inconclusive.