This book explores new questions and approaches to the rise of autobiographical writing since the early modern period. What motivated more and more men and women to write records of their private life? How could private writing grow into a bestselling genre? How was this rapidly expanding genre influenced by new ideas about history that emerged around 1800? How do we explain the paradox of the apparent privacy of publicity in many autobiographies? Such questions are addressed with reference to well-known autobiographies and an abundance of newfound works by persons hitherto unknown, not only...

This study analyses the development of the Dutch publishers and booksellers firm Blusse in connection with the history of the Blusse family between 1745 and 1830. The book offers new insight in the organization of the book trade, the theory and practice of copyright, competition and cooperation among publishers, book prices and print runs, including advertising and marketing. The history of the company is linked with that of the family, using letters and other autobiographical writings. Education, marriage policies, reading practices are among the subjects studied. Within the context of...