ABSTRACT
This chapter examines debates on genius in literary magazines during the early nineteenth century, and the relationship between these debates and changing representations of the literary marketplace. The beauties of Percy Bysshe Shelley poetry are contrasted with the errors of his morality: his genius acts as an alibi for his political transgressions; prevents him from being irrevocably damned for his erroneous principles; and, the review hopes, will eventually lead him to embrace religion and respect for authority. He argues that there is a generosity and love among the British people towards genius which will aid Shelley’s redemption, for ‘they are willing to pardon to its possessor much extravagance and error – nay, even more serious transgressions’. In order to try to reconcile a more democratic society with an emphasis on genius, John Stuart Mill redefines the term so that it becomes, at least to some extent, available to all.
