Romantic education in nineteenth century American literature : national and transatlantic contexts American publishing in the long nineteenth century was flooded with readers primers teaching training manuals childrens literature and popular periodicals aimed at families. These publications attest to an abiding faith in the power of pedagogy that has its roots in transatlantic Romantic conceptions of pedagogy and literacy. The essays in this collection examine the on going influence of Romanticism in the long nineteenth century on American thinking about education as depicted in literary texts in historical accounts of classroom dynamics or in pedagogical treatises. They also point out that though this influence was generally progressive the benefits of this social change did not reach many parts of American society. This book is therefore an important reference for scholars of Romantic studies American studies historical pedagogy and education.