Retrospective Review

Retrospective Review was an English literary periodical issued between 1820 and 1828. Founded by Henry Southern, who also served as its editor through 1826 and contributed to the publication, the journal concentrated on earlier English literature, especially works from the Early Modern period. Its approach involved looking back at important texts and authors rather than focusing primarily on contemporary literary production. The periodical occupies a notable place in the history of English literary criticism. Its retrospective subject matter and evaluative method anticipated aspects of later academic criticism, and literary critic John Gross regarded it as a precursor to subsequent scholarly approaches to literature. The journal therefore combined historical literary interest with critical assessment, helping establish a mode of publication that treated older English writing as material for sustained, organized analysis. Southern was the central figure during the publication's first years. In 1827 and 1828, Nicholas Harris Nicolas became co-editor with Southern, marking a change in the editorial arrangement during the final two years of the original run. The contributor list included George Frederick Beltz, James Crossley, Charles Wentworth Dilke, William Ford, Basil Montagu, William Johnson Fox, John Hamilton Reynolds, William Stevenson, and Thomas Noon Talfourd. These contributors indicate that the periodical drew on a broad circle of writers and scholars rather than being the work of a single author. The original Retrospective Review ceased publication in 1828. The title was later revived in the 1850s by publisher John Russell Smith. The revival demonstrates that the name retained value as an identifier for retrospective literary criticism, although the available reference material does not establish the full publication history, editorial structure, or contents of the later series. As a historical publication brand, Retrospective Review is best understood as a discontinued English literary journal whose principal significance lies in its treatment of earlier literature and its place in the development of academic literary criticism.

Retrospective Review was an English periodical established in 1820 by Henry Southern. Southern edited the publication through 1826 and also wrote for it. The journal's defining subject was Early Modern English literature, which it approached through retrospective examination and critical discussion. Rather than functioning as a general contemporary news or culture magazine, it looked back at earlier literary works and considered their significance, qualities, and place within English literary history. The publication is associated with an important transitional moment in literary criticism. Its practice of revisiting older texts and judging them through sustained critical commentary has been described as anticipating later academic literary criticism. John Gross specifically viewed the journal as presaging that later development. This makes Retrospective Review relevant not only as a periodical title but also as an example of the gradual formation of more scholarly methods for discussing literature. The journal's contributors included George Frederick Beltz, James Crossley, Charles Wentworth Dilke, William Ford, Basil Montagu, William Johnson Fox, John Hamilton Reynolds, William Stevenson, and Thomas Noon Talfourd. The range of contributors suggests that the publication operated as a collaborative literary forum. The available reference material does not provide a complete account of its publisher, circulation, individual issue contents, or commercial performance, so those aspects remain undocumented here. Southern remained editor until 1826. For the final two years of the original run, Nicholas Harris Nicolas served as co-editor with Southern. The periodical was published until 1828, after which the original series ended. The title was revived during the 1850s by publisher John Russell Smith. The supplied historical material does not specify the precise dates, format, or editorial personnel of that revival, but it establishes that the name continued to be used for a later literary publishing venture. The original Retrospective Review is consequently a defunct historical periodical brand. Its principal legacy is its sustained attention to Early Modern English literature, its network of contributors, and its role in the development of retrospective and scholarly literary criticism.

• 1850

  Title revived

  [1]Retrospective Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  The title was revived in the 1850s by publisher John Russell Smith; the available source does not provide a more precise year.

• 1828

  Original publication run ends

  [1]Retrospective Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  The original Retrospective Review periodical run concluded after eight years of publication.

• 1827

  Nicolas joins as co-editor

  [1]Retrospective Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Nicholas Harris Nicolas became co-editor with Henry Southern during the journal's final publication phase.

• 1826

  Southern's first editorial period ends

  [1]Retrospective Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Henry Southern's documented period as editor reached its end after he had led the publication and contributed to it since its founding.

• 1820

  Periodical founded

  [1]Retrospective Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Henry Southern founded Retrospective Review as an English literary periodical focused on earlier English writing.

A retrospective literary review devoted to examining and evaluating Early Modern English literature, positioned between historical literary commentary and the more systematic academic criticism that developed later.

• Literary periodical · 1820

  Retrospective Review

  The principal offering was an English literary periodical published from 1820 to 1828. It concentrated on Early Modern English literature and used retrospective criticism to revisit earlier works. The publication involved Henry Southern as founder, editor, and contributor, later working with Nicholas Harris Nicolas as co-editor. Its critical orientation has been associated with the development of later academic literary criticism.

• Revived literary publication title · 1850

  Retrospective Review revival

  John Russell Smith revived the Retrospective Review title in the 1850s. The available reference material confirms the revival but does not provide sufficient detail about its complete contents, editorial team, publication frequency, or duration.

1. 1Retrospective Reviewen.wikipedia.org