Illustrating Empire
A Visual History of British Imperialism
Ashley Jackson and David Tomkins


Illustrating Empire tells the history of the British Empire through the ephemeral images used to promote, record, and celebrate its development. The narrative is told through more than 200 striking and original images accompanied by illuminating story captions which unlock the history and meaning behind the illustrations.

Following a general introduction which provides an overarching discussion of Empire and its many facets, the book
is structured around eight major themes associated with the British Empire and Britain’s encounter with non-Europeans: emigration and settlement; imperial authority; exploration and knowledge; trade and commerce; travel and communications; popular culture; exhibitions and jubilees; and politics. Each chapter opens with an introduction which sets the overall context for the visual narrative to follow.

The book examines the significance of a range of media in purveying ideas about empire and the non-European world. It also provides a clear summary of scholarly debates regarding the significance of empire in terms of British culture. This book represents a significant contribution to the literature on culture and empire, and will be an engaging and useful source for scholars as well as students and general readers.

The Bodleian Library’s Visual History from the John Johnson Collection of Printed Ephemera series explores the Collection through themed texts for the general reader, providing the context in which to understand these important images and what they represent..