The Edinburgh Review

The move to London effectively marked the beginning of Agnes and Ellen Clerke's prolific literary careers. Agnes' first articles in the Edinburgh Review were written in Italy and published in 1877.

The Edinburgh Review, described by Agnes Clerke as ‘an organ of high critical thought’ was a quarterly journal devoted to literary, political and occasionally scientific subjects of topical interest. It carried lengthy reviews of recently published books or papers but went far beyond their immediate subject matter to wider general discussions. The contributors were anonymous. As its title suggests, the Edinburgh Review originated in Edinburgh at the beginning of the century but had long been published in London. Henry Reeve (Figure 3.1), its editor from 1855 onwards, was a distinguished man of letters and an influential figure on the London literary scene. The Edinburgh Review took a Liberal stance in political matters, as opposed to the Tory philosophy of its contemporary and rival the Quarterly Review.

Evidently keen to enter the field of journalism but unsure as to where to begin, Agnes Clerke offered Reeve two different topics from her Italian repertoire – recent politics and history of science – hoping, no doubt, that one or other would succeed. Reeve not only accepted both articles but asked for more.