Early modern English marginalia

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Marginalia in early modern and medieval texts—whether printed, handwritten, drawn, or pasted—create a rich tapestry illustrating how individuals and groups engaged with books and manuscripts over time. The chapters in this volume expand on previous scholarship that recognized marginalia as an intellectual method, as records of reading shaped by cultural, social, theological, and personal motivations, and as practices influenced by the material aspects of books and writing tools. They delve into the practices of marginalia as a mode, exploring how material opportunities intersect with intellectual and personal motivations to create meaning. Through idiosyncratic examples—such as erotic doodles in medical manuscripts, cut-and-paste additions to printed works, and shared ownership of books symbolizing marriage—case studies highlight the unique significance of marginalia in documenting diverse phenomena, including religious change, scientific discovery, and the evolution of the literary canon. Additionally, the volume raises broader historical, cultural, and theoretical questions about the interplay between human society and material culture, the nature of authorship, and the intricate relationship between words, objects, and the multifaceted identity of the reader.