The Nineteenth Century

This new eleven-volume series will span the history of the British Isles from the Roman Era to the present. Each volume consists of essays by leading historians who focus on key issues for the period -- including society, economy, religion, politics, and culture. The chapters are at once wide-ranging surveys and searching analyses. They are written for the non-specialist but include new and important findings, making them equally valuable for academics across a range of disciplines.
The Nineteenth Century is the inaugural volume in the series and covers the peak of Britain's world power. The book provides a vivid portrait of this crucial moment in British history and is ideal for both the student of modern history and the general reader.

Colin Matthew was Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford and Editor of the New Dictionary of National Biography. Died 1999.