UCR      Libraries

The UCR Libraries is pleased to make available the rich scholarly resource, Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO).  Over 150,000 works published in the United Kingdom from this influential period have been digitally captured, from books and directories, Bibles, sheet music to sermons and advertisements by many well-known and lesser-known authors between 1701 and 1800.   Included are works from women writers of the 18th Century, collections on the French Revolution, and numerous editions of the works of Shakespeare.

The 18th Century brought the written word to the masses. With the expiration of strict printing controls and the Industrial Revolution, a large portion of the population ­ previously unexposed to writings ­ was exposed to a diverse collection of printed material. With a newfound passion for literacy, and an eager audience, texts explored new themes and ideas ranging from social and economic analysis and criticisms, to theories on man and society. 

All UC students and faculty will be able to read the complete original works of Ben Franklin, Thomas Paine, and Adam Smith, not to mention look at 18th century maps and etchings, travel guides, poetry, songs and verses, almanacs, medical texts, legal and ethical essays, architectural drawings and devotional works among other treasures of the Age of Reason.   Where they add scholarly value or contain important differences, multiple editions of each individual work are offered (including all 500 editions of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe) to enable scholars to make textual comparisons of the works.

To optimally search ECCO, try Advanced Search . You can limit by language, Illustrated works containing portraits, cartoons, etc., broad subject areas, and years of publication. 

Access to this resource is possible from off campus. Click on Connect from Home for more information.


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