Introduction: Managing knowledge and capital in the nineteenth century

Höpker K, Horn K (2025)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Book chapter / Article in edited volumes

Publication year: 2025

Publisher: Manchester University Press

Edited Volumes: Speculative endeavors. Cultures of knowledge and capital in the long nineteenth century

City/Town: Manchester

Pages Range: 1-30

ISBN: 9781526182166

DOI: 10.7765/9781526182166.00006

Abstract

Using P.T. Barnumas famous marketing of the aœFejee Mermaida? as a starting point, this three-part introduction makes a case for the significance of engaging with speculation as an epistemic and economic technique that impacted everyday practices beyond the scope of what is usually rendered visible in historiographic studies. Laying out the projectas focus on aœsmalla? and aœminora? forms of knowledge production, the introduction frames the volumeas contributions and embeds them within the large-scale epistemic and economic innovations of the nineteenth century. To this end, it offers an overview over relevant recent interventions and insights in the fields of the history of knowledge and the history of capitalism. aœManaging knowledgea? connects considerations of the epistemic implications to a turn to subjugated knowledge and mechanisms of exclusion from the process of institutionalizing and professionalizing knowledge. aœManaging capitala? throws into relief the high degree of financial volatility of the period, which required, among other things, efforts of renegotiating defining factors of trust and confidence, as well as cautious management of economic, social, and cultural capital. In its concluding segment, the introduction presents an overview over the bookas structure and content by explaining the rationale behind the volumeas three clusters: I. Capital, reputation, and legal recognition; II. Commerce, print culture, and the circulation of knowledge; III. Pedagogies and practices of the home. Finally, it offers brief guidance to readers who might want to focus on individual chapters and more specific topics; it highlights connections across sections.

Authors with CRIS profile

Karin Höpker Lehrstuhl für Amerikanistik, insbesondere Literaturwissenschaft

Involved external institutions

Universität Greifswald DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Höpker, K., & Horn, K. (2025). Introduction: Managing knowledge and capital in the nineteenth century. In Katrin Horn, Karin Hoepker, Selina Foltinek (Eds.), Speculative endeavors. Cultures of knowledge and capital in the long nineteenth century. (pp. 1-30). Manchester: Manchester University Press.

MLA:

Höpker, Karin, and Katrin Horn. "Introduction: Managing knowledge and capital in the nineteenth century." Speculative endeavors. Cultures of knowledge and capital in the long nineteenth century. Ed. Katrin Horn, Karin Hoepker, Selina Foltinek, Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2025. 1-30.

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