This book explores the theory and practice of Victorian liberal parenting by focusing on the life and writings of John Morley, one of Britainâs premier intellectuals and politicians. Reading Morleyâs published worksâmuch of which explicitly or implicitly addresses this relationshipâwith and against other writings of the period, and in the context of formative circumstances in his own life, it explores how living oneâs life as a liberal extended to parenting. Although Victorian liberalism is currently undergoing reappraisal by scholars in the disciplines of literature and history, only a handful of studies have addressed its implications for intimate personal relations. None have considered the relationship of parent and child. Four of the chapters document how John Morley was parented and how he defined himself as a parent, based on newly available archival materials. Two other chapters analyze his many writings on or concerned with parenting and parenthood.Â
