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Alma universitas studiorum parmensis A.D. 962 - Università di Parma
Università degli Studi di Parma

Reviving “The Liberal”: Literature and Politics between Britain and Italy, 1821-23

Finanziato dall'Unione europea - NextGenerationEU
Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca
Italia Domani - Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza
Prin 2022
Dipartimento di Discipline Umanistiche, Sociali e delle Imprese Culturali
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Details

ERC sector
SH5 - Texts and Concepts
ERC subsector
SH5_2 - Theory and history of literature, comparative literature
Project start date
CUP
D53D23015400006
Financial support received
€44.482,00

Description and purpose

This project offers an innovative approach to “The Liberal”(1822–23), a key but underexplored work published in London and edited in Italy by figures including Percy and Mary Shelley, and Lord Byron. Through a digital edition, new studies, and public engagement, it enables scholars and the public to reconnect with ideas still vital to literary and socio-political debates at national and international levels.

Website: https://theliberal.unifi.it/ 

Purpose

The project addresses the absence of a scholarly edition of The Liberal, now available only in rare or poor-quality versions without critical tools. It aims to return this resource to scholars and the public as a reliable, annotated, and freely accessible digital edition. By restoring The Liberal as a key cultural resource, the project aims to support new research and promote public engagement with literary and historical heritage.

Expected results

The project will reintroduce The Liberal to scholarly debate through a digital edition and new research on literature, politics, nationalism, liberalism, and Anglo-Italian relations, while also promoting public engagement. Outputs include a website, conference papers, essays, an edited collection, online events, a final conference, resources for schools and cultural tourism, and activities aimed at secondary school students.

Achieved results

As of September 2025: the website is live; ongoing uploading of issues and other materials; in-person and online seminars (UNIFI, March and November 2024); project presentation and two PE events at the 49th International Byron Conference in Pisa (2025); essays published in two edited collections; PE initiative ‘Talking Houses’; conference papers delivered internationally; dedicated panel organized at the 32nd AIA Conference in Turin (2025).

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