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Description
In this programme. Dr. Colin A. Russell, Reader in Science and Technology at the Open University, analyses and describes the ways in which attitudes to mountains and mountaineering changed between ...the early eighteenth century and the mid nineteenth century. The programme concentrates on the Lake District in England and relates changing attitudes to mountains to more fundamental changes in man's view of nature. It is illustrated from the works of Thomas West, Sir Thomas Burnet, Daniel Defoe, the Reverend W. Gilpin and William Wordsworth. Specially taken still pictures (by Barrie Boxall) show the Lake District as it is now and contemporary illustrations from collections at the Armitt Library in Ambleside and the city Library in Carlisle suggest some of the ways in which early writers and illustrators looked at the area. Quotations are read by Andrew Sachs.
In this programme. Dr. Colin A. Russell, Reader in Science and Technology at the Open University, analyses and describes the ways in which attitudes to mountains and mountaineering changed between ...the early eighteenth century and the mid nineteenth century. The programme concentrates on the Lake District in England and relates changing attitudes to mountains to more fundamental changes in man's view of nature. It is illustrated from the works of Thomas West, Sir Thomas Burnet, Daniel Defoe, the Reverend W. Gilpin and William Wordsworth. Specially taken still pictures (by Barrie Boxall) show the Lake District as it is now and contemporary illustrations from collections at the Armitt Library in Ambleside and the city Library in Carlisle suggest some of the ways in which early writers and illustrators looked at the area. Quotations are read by Andrew Sachs.
| Module code and title: | AMST283, Science and belief: from Copernicus to Darwin |
|---|---|
| Item code: | AMST283; 11 |
| First transmission date: | 02-10-1974 |
| Published: | 1974 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:20:12 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | John Selwyn Gilbert |
| Contributors: | Colin Russell; Andrew Sachs |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Lake District; Langdale Pikes; Mountains; Romanticism |
| Footage description: | Colin Russell introduces the programme, which is illustrated entirely with stills. He stresses the emotional impact of mountains. All examples in the programme come from the Lake District. First sequence covers quotations from the Age of Reason: Thomas Burnet, Defoe, Thomas West, and Bishop Butler's demonstration of John Wesley as an example of the meaning of the word 'horrid' which sums up the attitude to mountains prevailing at this time. Stills of formal gardens at Levens Hall. (For a complete list of stills used see script). By the second half of the 18th century people were taking a new interest in natural scenery. Examples from the painting of Constable and Gainsborough, and quotes from an obscure poet and the Rev. W. Gilpin. Shots of Langdale Pikes, first climbed for pleasure in 1792. With the coming of Romanticism mountains became an object of reverence. Quotation from Wordsworth's description of a lonely cottage on the pass near Blea Tarn, with photographs. Another prose quotation from Wordsworth presents his idea that mountains typify the 'living principle of things'. In conclusion Russell charts the appearance of guide books, and the aspect of conquest as a new element, from 1825, in popular attitudes mountains. Quotation from John Tyndall, Russell sums up. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71328 |
| Production number: | 00525_3117 |
| Videofinder number: | 3358 |
| Available to public: | no |
