T. WARTON AND J. RITSON LITERARY DEBATE OVER HISTORICAL TRUTH IN THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT

The appeal to early and medieval poetry became one of the keys rethinking origins national culture for British historians, antiquarians, textologists writers XVIII century. This article examines literary debate English writer textual critic Joseph Ritson with his colleague Thomas Wharton, author “The History Poetry”, three volumes which were published in 1774–1781. Since by middle century, history language literature has not yet received status a research discipline; process studying ancient manuscripts, antiquarians put forward variety hypotheses that could explain emergence art. Being an experienced researcher antiquity, was well acquainted texts, Wharton wrote about “History”, approve critical revision AngloSaxon art formation culture. between can be seen as dispute two critics, each defends own view on development poetry. On other hand, “Observations” appears scholar rival Wharton. In works, he is intolerant factual inaccuracies, loose assumptions incorrect interpretations: Wharton’s irresponsible work considered misleading posing great intellectual danger reader.