Romantics and the Era of Early Flight

The exploration of flight's significance in Romantic literature reveals a unique intersection between early ballooning and the works of English Romantic poets. This study highlights how balloonists influenced these writers, providing new metaphors and sharing an imaginative spirit. By intertwining the adventures of balloonists with Romantic texts, it uncovers a collective 'aerial imagination' that emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This book is essential for scholars and students interested in Romantic cultural history, poetry, and early aeronautics.