Spain's Eighteenth-Century Periodical Press

This is the first monographic study of the Semanario Erudito, one of the most important learned periodicals of late eighteenth-century Spain. Its editor, Antonio Valladares de Sotomayor (17371820), sought to recover the history of Spain and, through his periodical, instruct his readers. The book begins by discussing Valladaress life and works; he was a prolific and popular dramatist, as well as a professional editor of books and other periodicals. Documents from Spains Archivo Histrico Nacional inform the next two chapters, which examine the periodicals history; these chapters treat the censorship process, as well as the printers, sellers and readers of the Semanario. The books second half looks at what Valladares published reformist tracts by arbitristas and proyectistas, reflections on the monarchy and the role of privados, writings by eighteenth-century figures such as Macanaz, Burriel, Mayans and Sarmiento and suggests why he might have selected particular texts for his readers.