Martin, Mary Clare ORCID: 0000-0002-3568-6423 (2020) Gender, generation and life-cycle: the Hackney Phalanx and the world, 1799-1855. In: British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies 49th Annual Conference, Oxford, 08-10 Jan 2020, Oxford, UK. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

‘This paper comprises an initial foray into a life-cycle analysis of the kinship, gender and familial networks of the Hackney Phalanx, and the significance of these factors, both within their local community, and within broader networks of business, education and overseas. A number of historians have acknowledged the key role of the group known as the “Hackney Phalanx” in strengthening the Church of England in the early nineteenth century, and founding new institutions or revitalising old ones. Yet although friendship and kinship were key factors in the composition and maintenance of this group, no analysis exists based on age or gender. This is curious, given the decades- long coverage of the issue of “separate spheres” , of the place of kinship and gender , as well as Evangelicals, or “serious Christians”, in the making of the English “middle class”, 1780 to 1850. Although Robert Andrews has claimed to include women as a neglected group within High Church circles, his contribution comprises one section on women writers, rather than an integrated analysis.

The paper will first map the kin relationships which underpinned this group, over generations, through intermarriage between key families, as well as long-term friendships. The second part will investigate the kind of education which children received within Hackney networks, and its changing focus over the generations. What were the expectations at different ages, and was this different from that received by “Evangelical” children?

The final section will analyse the impact of old age and retirement. It has become accepted that merchants with interests in philanthropic causes might retire early. Yet, how important were their personal and marital relationships at different stages of the life-cycle? By examining the Phalanx through different aspects of the life-cycle, the paper will open up debates on key aspects of gender and children’s history within the context of a highly significant, if politically conservative, group of activists.

Item Type:	Conference or Conference Paper (Paper)
Additional Information:	This paper was presented as part of a panel entitled "Anglicanism in Action: the Hackney Phalanx and the World, 1799-1855", organised by myself. The other contributors were Dr Nicholas Dixon and Dr William Jacob.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	gender, generation, life-cycle, kinship, religion, Hackney Phalanx
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Education (EDU)
Related URLs:	Organisation
Last Modified:	04 Oct 2021 15:56
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/26776

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