During the enlightenment period, Britain was advancing fast as a world power. German writers, artists, and politicians became increasingly interested in the ideas, language, science, and the industrial developments in this country. By concentrating on linguistics, physiognomy and phrenology, racial theories and twin studies, the reception of antiquity or biographical studies, this volume critically reflects on specific themes in the dynamic British-German cultural and historical dialogues.

Ist die Monarchie ein Verlierer der Geschichte? Eine lange in der Geschichtswissenschaft verbreitete Modernisierungsthese konnte dies nahelegen. Dabei hat die Monarchieforschung in den vergangenen Jahren eine ganze Reihe von Erkenntnissen zu Tage gefördert, die einem eindimensionalen Negativurteil entgegenstehen. Der Band versammelt die Beiträge wichtiger Vertreter der »neuen Monarchiegeschichte« und untersucht die vielfältigen Wandlungen, denen die europäischen Monarchien seit 1815 unterlagen.

The role of Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1819–1861) as cultural transferant between Britain and the German lands has long been undervalued. This study reassesses his contribution to British life through the lens of cultural transfer theory. Examining Albert’s education, collecting and working practices, it focuses on his pivotal role in the Great Exhibition of 1851. The book establishes Prince Albert as a major European cultural transferant, particularly evident in the South Kensington complex of museums known as Albertopolis.