The Rise of Heritage

Astrid Swenson is Lecturer in European History at Brunel University, London. Her previous publications include From Plunder to Preservation: Britain and the Heritage of Empire, c.1800–1940 (co-edited with Peter Mandler, 2013).

'This book should be required reading for all scholars interested in nineteenth-century collecting. Astrid Swenson has produced a lucid and persuasive synthesis of the emergence of historical preservation in Britain, France and Germany, ranging from the debates on vandalism and restitution during the French Revolution through to the flurry of international congresses in the fin-de-siècle. In the process, she subtly challenges the orthodoxies about the unique complexion of each nation's heritage culture - namely the statist French, the civic-minded German bourgeoisie or the individualist and aristocratic British …This is an extraordinarily learned, multi-faceted and important study that reminds us of what was, and is, at stake in the decision to preserve the past.' Tom Stammers, Journal of the History of Collections

• Introduction; Part I. National Heritage Movements: 1. In search of origins; 2. The heritage-makers; Part II. International Meeting-Points: 3. Exhibition mania; 4. 'Peace and goodwill among nations'; Part III. Transnational Campaigns: 5. 'A Morris dance 'round St Mark's'; 6. 'A yardstick for a people's cultural attainment'; Conclusion; Bibliography.