The Center for Tomorrow: Disciplining Victorian Biography

Abstract

Contrasts the approaches to biography as a form of discourse proposed by A.O.J. Cockshut and David Amigoni; the former adopts the older classical-humanist approach, the latter relies on contemporary theory as the basis for analysis. Demonstrates the differences and similarities between these two by examining their comments on Carlyle. Criticizes both for ignoring biographies by and about women; more critical of Amigoni for ignoring prior work on the theory of biography.