Ancient or Modern, 'Ancient and Modern' : the Victorian hymn and the nineteenth century.

Abstract

Hymns Ancient and Modern (1860-61) was one of the great literary achievements of the nineteenth century, its sales eclipsing those of every other printed book. In religion, the growing uncertainties and doubts produced a frenetic activity, shown in its constituent parts. The Latin and Greek hymns celebrated the continuity of the Church, and the claim of the Church of England to be a part of the Catholic Church; the translation of German hymns celebrated the Reformation. Behind these major divisions were assumptions about education and the role of women.