Published in 1998, J. M. Robertson: Rationalist and Literary Critic is a study of the life of one of the most erudite and prolific critics of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Scotsman John MacKinnon Robertson (1856-1933), rationalist and enemy of religion to the core, published over one hundred books and thousands of articles in fields as diverse as sociology, economics, history, anthropology, biblical criticism and literary criticism. This once widely known (and feared!) author was all too quickly forgotten after his death and his work is now seldom read. The aim of this book is to demonstrate that Robertson’s writings and in particular his acute and powerful literary criticism – much respected by T. S. Eliot – have not lost their relevance for late twentieth century readers. Moreover, through the examinations of Robertson’s work in its contextual framework, this study provides a wide-ranging perspective on the late-Victorian literary scene, which perhaps present-day literary historians have not given the detailed attention it deserves.

John Mackinnon Robertson was a man of many parts, and this collection of essays edited by Professor G. A. Wells attempts to deal with the most important aspects of his life and work. Jim Herrick provides a "Biographical Introduction', and then describes "The Politician', the leading Liberal, Member of Parliament, and junior minister. Dr. Ian MacKillop describes the 'Literary Critic', with particular reference to the issues of modernity and modernism. Professor Stanislav Andreski describes 'The Historian and Sociologist', considering him as one of the great figures of the social sciences. Dr. David Berman describes "The Historian of British Freethought', with particular reference to his account of the eighteenth century. Chris R. Tame describes "The Critical Liberal', placing him in the tradiiton of classical liberalism and later libertarianism. Professor G. A. Wells describes "The Critic of Christianity', emphasing [sic] his ideas about the historicity of Jesus and the growth and survival of the Church, and then "The Philosopher', bringing together his general ideas and bringing the volume to a conclusion. There is also a portrait of Robertson and a detailed bibliography of his writings. -- Book Jacket.