The image of England in the travelogues and correspondence of Ukrainian travelers of the 19th century

Abstract

This article examines the image of nineteenth-century England as perceived by travelers from the Dnieper region of Ukraine. Drawing on travelogues, memoirs, diaries, and correspondence – considered here as narrative sources – the study identifies the travelers’ objectives (education, health, and leisure), principal routes, and markers of material culture and everyday life that attracted their attention.

The analysis demonstrates that travelers’ actual experiences of England were geographically limited to major cities, particularly London, and resort towns such as Torquay and St Leonards, resulting in a fragmented and partially “unknown” image of the country. At the same time, many travelers prioritized intellectual exchange, focusing on the scientific milieu, library collections, and the views of leading scholars.

It is shown that extended stays in England facilitated the formation of new, enduring social networks – including European elites, scientists, and émigré compatriots – which promoted deeper integration into the broader European cultural context. The study concludes that exposure to this environment gradually undermined ideological stereotypes imposed by the Russian Empire. Consequently, these firsthand accounts became a catalyst for personal transformation and the development of national consciousness among travelers from the Dnieper region.