Civilised by Beasts: Animals and Urban Change in Nineteenth-Century Dublin - Paperback

by Juliana Adelman (Author)

This book offers a unique account of life in nineteenth-century Dublin, told through human-animal relationships. It argues that the exploitation of animals formed a key component of urban change, from municipal reform to class formation to the expansion of public health and policing.

Front Jacket

'Evocative and compellingly argued, this book brings a highly charged period of Dublin's history to life with sensitivity and purpose. Adelman sheds new light on a fascinating city through the complex human-animal relationships that shaped it.' Thomas Almeroth-Williams, author of City of beasts: How animals shaped Georgian London 'A fascinating and highly readable account of a neglected aspect of Dublin's social history.' Helen O'Connell, Associate Professor of English Studies, Durham University 'Adelman brilliantly re-imagines the social and commercial geographies of nineteenth-century Dublin as alive with the rumbustious sights, smells and sounds of its exploited animal life.' Matthew Kelly, Professor of Modern History, Northumbria University 'Adelman's remarkable study of everyday animals in the development of the Irish capital provides an entirely fresh perspective on the troubled history of the Victorian city, riven as it was by political, religious and class divisions.' David Dickson, Professor of Modern History, Trinity College Dublin Civilised by beasts tells the story of nineteenth-century Dublin through human-animal relationships. Drawing on a range of new and underused sources, including archives of the humane society and the zoological society, popular songs, visual ephemera and diaries, it offers a unique perspective on life in the Irish metropolis during a period of significant change and reform. Each chapter focuses on specific animals and their role in urban changes. Topics explored include how the Great Famine drove reformers to try to separate the urban poor from animals, what effects the expanding cattle trade had on the geography, infrastructure and living conditions of the city, and how visions of Dublin as modern or declining came to be associated with particular animals. Throughout, the book makes a compelling argument that the exploitation of animals was a key component of urban development, from municipal reform to class formation and the expansion of public health and policing.

Back Jacket

'Evocative and compellingly argued, this book brings a highly charged period of Dublin's history to life with sensitivity and purpose. Adelman sheds new light on a fascinating city through the complex human-animal relationships that shaped it.'
Thomas Almeroth-Williams, author of City of beasts: How animals shaped Georgian London

'A fascinating and highly readable account of a neglected aspect of Dublin's social history.'
Helen O'Connell, Associate Professor of English Studies, Durham University

'Adelman brilliantly re-imagines the social and commercial geographies of nineteenth-century Dublin as alive with the rumbustious sights, smells and sounds of its exploited animal life.'
Matthew Kelly, Professor of Modern History, Northumbria University

'Adelman's remarkable study of everyday animals in the development of the Irish capital provides an entirely fresh perspective on the troubled history of the Victorian city, riven as it was by political, religious and class divisions.'
David Dickson, Professor of Modern History, Trinity College Dublin

Civilised by beasts tells the story of nineteenth-century Dublin through human-animal relationships. Drawing on a range of new and underused sources, including archives of the humane society and the zoological society, popular songs, visual ephemera and diaries, it offers a unique perspective on life in the Irish metropolis during a period of significant change and reform.

Each chapter focuses on specific animals and their role in urban changes. Topics explored include how the Great Famine drove reformers to try to separate the urban poor from animals, what effects the expanding cattle trade had on the geography, infrastructure and living conditions of the city, and how visions of Dublin as modern or declining came to be associated with particular animals. Throughout, the book makes a compelling argument that the exploitation of animals was a key component of urban development, from municipal reform to class formation and the expansion of public health and policing.

Author Biography

Juliana Adelman is Assistant Professor of History at Dublin City University