How did the academic discipline of English literature evolve from a pedagogical tool into a perceived mechanism for social cohesion and cultural preservation? Chris Baldick, a scholar of English literature, investigates the institutionalization of English studies between 1848 and 1932. He argues that early critics and educators promoted literary culture as a civilizing force intended to mitigate class tensions and counteract the perceived threats of mass media, such as advertising and popular cinema.

Scholars recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the institutional history of English departments. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the rigorous historical context provided by the author.