An influential and prolific Victorian author, Margaret Oliphant (1828-97) is best remembered for her Chronicles of Carlingford - novels which sketch the religious and domestic politics of a provincial community - and for her many book reviews, essays and serialised fiction for Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine. Her output included ninety-eight novels, some fifty short stories, works of biography and non-fiction, and a series of cultural histories of European cities, of which this is the last. A place of poignant association for Mrs Oliphant, Rome was the city in which both her husband and daughter Maggie died. Originally published in 1895, this book paints a compelling picture of the development of the great city from the fourth century to the Renaissance through accounts of its key figures. These include Saints Marcella and Paula, Cola di Rienzi, and pontiffs from Gregory I to Leo X. The volumes on Florence (1876) and Venice (1887) are also reissued in this series.

The Makers of Florence

by Margaret Oliphant

Published 23 August 2012
An influential and prolific Victorian author, Margaret Oliphant (1828-97) is best remembered for her 'Chronicles of Carlingford' - novels which sketch the religious and domestic politics of a provincial community - particularly the most popular in the cycle, Miss Marjoribanks (1866), and for her many book reviews, essays and serialised fiction for Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine. Her output included ninety-eight novels, some fifty short stories, works of biography and non-fiction, and a series of cultural histories of European cities, of which this is the first. Originally published in 1876, the book paints a vivid picture of the cultural development of the great city of Florence during the Renaissance through biographical sketches of its key figures. They include Dante, Giotto, Savonarola, and 'he who stands alone amongst the crowd': Michelangelo. Written in an engaging style and illustrated throughout with many fine engravings, this is a work of lasting interest and popular appeal.

The Makers of Venice

by Margaret Oliphant

Published 11 October 2012
An influential and prolific Victorian author, Margaret Oliphant (1828-97) is best remembered for her Chronicles of Carlingford - novels which sketch the religious and domestic politics of a provincial community - particularly the most popular in the cycle, Miss Marjoribanks (1866), and for her many book reviews, essays and serialised fiction for Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine. Her output included ninety-eight novels, some fifty short stories, works of biography and non-fiction, and a series of cultural histories of European cities, of which this is the second. Originally published in 1887, the book paints a compelling picture of the cultural development of the great city of Venice during the middle ages and the Renaissance through biographical sketches of its key figures. They include the doge Enrico Dandolo, the explorer Marco Polo, and the artists Titian and Tintoretto. The volumes on Florence (1876) and Rome (1895) are also reissued in this series.