This collection examines the complex legacy of Victorian values as they were adapted and challenged by the next generation of intellectuals and reformers. The book features biographical essays on ten prominent figures, including J.M. Keynes and E.M. Forster, exploring how they grappled with concepts like 'civilization,' 'domesticity,' and 'conscience' in the face of 20th-century democracy, feminism, and mass culture. These interdisciplinary studies scrutinize the private assumptions and public positions of these individuals as they navigated a rapidly changing world. The essays collectively analyze the enduring influence of their Victorian upbringing on their modern endeavors.

This collection is regarded as a significant contribution to understanding the intellectual and social shifts between the Victorian era and the mid-20th century. The biographical approach allows for a nuanced examination of how inherited values were both preserved and transformed by influential figures. The essays are noted for their interdisciplinary nature, drawing on historical and biographical methods to illuminate the complexities of the period. The book provides valuable insights into the adaptation of core Victorian principles to the challenges of modernity.