The Bloomsbury Group was a circle of English writers, intellectuals, and artists in the early 20th century. Pronounced /ˈbluːmzbəri/ in IPA phonetic transcription, the spelling of this word can be quite tricky for non-native speakers. The key is to stress the "oo" sound in the first syllable, followed by a silent "s" in the second syllable. The "bury" ending, which is common in many English placenames, should be pronounced as "bəri." Together, these sounds create the unique pronunciation of "Bloomsbury Group."
The Bloomsbury Group refers to a prominent circle of intellectuals, artists, and writers that emerged in the early 20th century in the Bloomsbury area of London, England. This influential and prominent collective of individuals played a significant role in reshaping the cultural and intellectual landscape of their time.
Characterized by their progressive and forward-thinking ideas, the Bloomsbury Group challenged conventional societal norms and embraced a variety of intellectual and artistic pursuits. They emphasized the importance of aestheticism, the exploration of individual freedoms, and the pursuit of truth through artistic expression and intellectual collaboration.
Members of the Bloomsbury Group included writers such as Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster, artists like Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell, and renowned economist John Maynard Keynes, among others. They often gathered in private homes, engaging in stimulating discussions on a wide array of topics including literature, philosophy, feminism, psychology, and social reform.
The Bloomsbury Group also had a profound influence on various artistic and literary movements, including modernism and the post-impressionist movement. Their works explored themes of personal growth, sexuality, human relationships, and the complexities of existence.
Despite their diverse talents and interests, the Bloomsbury Group shared a common vision of challenging established norms and creating a space for intellectual and artistic expression that has left a lasting impact on the cultural and intellectual history of the 20th century.
The word "Bloomsbury Group" is derived from the area of London known as Bloomsbury, where the group was based. Bloomsbury is a district in the central part of London, located between the city of London and the West End. The area gained prominence in the early 20th century as a hub for intellectuals, artists, writers, and philosophers who formed a distinct social and intellectual circle.
The term "Bloomsbury Group" was coined by the art critic and painter Roger Fry, who was a central figure within the group himself. He used the term to describe the various individuals who gathered around the Bloomsbury area and his own art exhibitions. The group included prominent figures such as Virginia Woolf, E.M. Forster, Lytton Strachey, John Maynard Keynes, and others.