Professor Matthew Bell, Professor of German and Comparative Literature in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, reveals how Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's political ideas pervade his literary works in ways that have not been fully recognised.
Goethe: A Life in Ideas is the first complete intellectual biography of Goethe. Despite being regarded as one of the most important thinkers of modern Europe in the 19th century, Goethe's intellectual significance and legacy are less well known today than his artistic influence.
The book offers a new interpretation of the paradox of Goethe's thought, exploring how a radical individualist who espoused liberal and innovative ideas in some areas - in particular, religion, sexuality and science - could remain consistently conservative and authoritarian in his political outlook.
Professor Matthew Bell, Professor of German and Comparative Literature
The book explores Goethe's position as one of the first evolutionary biologists, including his development of theories that predate those of Charles Darwin, and the ways his political ideas infiltrate his literary texts.
In the biography, Professor Bell analyses the Theory of Colour, in which Goethe created the first example of science studies - as well as mounting a quixotic campaign against Newton.
He also shows how Goethe's intellectual evolution was impacted by his reception of Rousseau and Spinoza - particularly the effect of Rousseau on his social thought, which has long been acknowledged but not fully explored.
Goethe: A Life in Ideas is supported by a Leverhulme Research Fellowship from the Leverhulme Trust.
