Harriet Martineau: circulation and influence on public debate in the first half of the 19th century

Abstract

This article aims to explore the presence of Harriet Martineau in the written press of the first half of the 19th century. The British author earned her living from writing, practising different genres – textbooks, travel writing, fiction, journalism, romance, autobiography, social analysis etc – and exploring social, political and economic topics related to the contemporary field of Sociology. The article introduces the author, highlighting elements of an enduring career as a professional writer and a pioneer in Sociology. Finally, it contextualises the production of the works How to observe morals and manners and Society in America and characterises their reception based on the analysis of reviews published in the British and North American presses