Between 1707 and 1918 Scotland underwent arguably the most dramatic upheavals in its political economic and social history The Union with England industrialisation and Scotland s subsequent defining contributions throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to the culture of Britain and Empire are reflected in the transformative energies of Scottish literature and literary institutions in the period New genres new concerns and whole new areas of interest opened under the creative scrutiny of sceptical minds This second volume of the History reveals the major contribution made by Scottish writers and Scottish writing to the shape of modernity in Britain Europe and the world The other volumes in the History are The Edinburgh History of Scottish Literature Volume 1 From Columba to the Union until 1707 The Edinburgh History of Scottish Literature Volume 3 Modern Transformations New Identities from 1918 Key FeaturesOriginal presents new approaches to what is literature and what is Scottishness Inclusive Gaelic and diasporic writing Latin writing theological writing legal writing and context chapters Comprehensive provides the fullest coverage of Scottish literature ever and the first survey for almost 20 years Distinguished contributors from many countries Influences the agenda for critical debate on Scottish writing in the twenty first century