ABSTRACT
Harriet Martineau was an author and journalist who wrote on issues of political economy, sociology, history, national and imperial politics. Prompted by a concern for political sensitivity during the mid-century revolutionary period, Martineau declared herself satisfied with the invisibility of her role in the passage of significant legislation; this apparent humility continues through her account of Corn-Law Repeal in History of the Peace. Martineau approached by an array of special interest groups, who recognized in her literary prominence and political influence a means to promote social reforms. An overview of certain antecedents in Martineau's career establishes her as a socio-political authority whose opinions were valued and respected, and whose influence extended to the political movers and shakers of the period generally, without acknowledgement. The "Hungry Forties" were marked by uprisings and such "muscular" demonstrations as Chartist rallies, Irish "Monster Meetings", European sociopolitical revolutions, and the mobilization of the Anti-Corn-Law League, a group with a somewhat mixed reputation.
