Sarah Siddons, Sensibility and Enthusiastic Devotion in the British Enlightenment

A surprising number of understudied novels of the late eighteenth century contain scenes that feature celebrity actress Sarah Siddons and describe the emotional responses of her fans. This article argues that these scenes of effusive emotion, depicted positively, compel us to revisit our understandings of narratives of sensibility. Perhaps more importantly, these scenes reflect the extent to which manifestations of celebrity fandom mirror contemporary religious devotional practices, especially the enthusiastic worship of Methodist congregations. This essay therefore traces the slippage between secular and religious forms of devotion in the period, challenging more linear arguments of secularisation in eighteenth‐century Britain.