Personal profile
Research interests
Dr Daniel O’Brien is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Death and Society, University of Bath. His research focuses on the undertaking trade and their products in eighteenth century England. This has included a detailed analysis of the early trade in the west of England, with a specific focus on the prosperous settlements of Bath, Bristol and Salisbury. His research also seeks to understand how the undertakers and their goods were perceived by society, by analysing how funerals were presented in the popular culture of the period. Drawing upon an eclectic range of source materials has enabled him to consider simple, but often overlooked, questions about how people’s knowledge about the early trade was formed.
Key themes:
- Undertaking trade in eighteenth century England
- The reception of the early undertaking trade
- Death in eighteenth century popular culture
- Funerals and sociability
Education/Academic qualification
History, Doctor of Philosophy, The Funeral as an Opportunity for Social Display 1700-1820
Sept 2010 → Nov 2018
Award Date: 5 Nov 2018
Death and Society, Master in Science, 'What might be the profession of that dismal looking creature?’ - Examining the representation of the undertaking trade in eighteenth century theatre, Centre for Death and Society (CDAS)
Oct 2008 → Sept 2009
History, Bachelor of Arts, Bath Spa University
Sept 2005 → Jun 2008
Keywords
- D204 Modern History
- eighteenth century
- HM Sociology
- death
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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- 1 Similar Profiles
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The Undertakers of Eighteenth-Century Bath
O’Brien, D., 16 Apr 2025, Bath and Beyond: The Social and Cultural World of the Georgian Assembly Room. Burlock, H., Eagles, R. & LeBoff, T. (eds.). 1st ed. New York, U. K.: Routledge, p. 162-181 20 p.Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Book chapter
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Drinking to Death – Funerary workers’ mirthful behaviour in eighteenth-century satire
O'Brien, D., 9 Sept 2022.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
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"The children singing funeral hymns before the corpse" Schoolchildren in the grand urban funerals of eighteenth century England
O'Brien, D., 10 Jun 2022.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
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A Most Fine Sett of Gloves: The use of funerary accessories in Bristol, England, 1775-1825
O'Brien, D., 12 Jun 2021.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
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‘Like a nightmare that haunts a murderer’s brain’ Depicting funeral workers’ feigned sorrow in Eighteenth Century England.
O'Brien, D., 15 Apr 2021.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper