However, does the fact that English eccentricity is so heavily inter-weaved within our cultural history justifiably support the idea that perhaps our eccentricity is self-made rather than intrinsic? Writer Hyel Williams seems to think it does, and even goes as far as describing the idea of the English eccentric as a very literary construct:

“It is what the English have read about in books (such as Edith Sitwell's study of the subject) and then tried to imitate. And they have also seen it on stage. The English dramatic tradition has provided a model for its audiences - as well as for its own members off-stage.”

The first literary reference to English eccentricity was in Robert Burton’s Anatomy of Melancholy (1621). The author is justly described by many modern critics as being a bit of an eccentric himself and his (five-time re-worked) hefty tome as being an enduring, if eccentric, literary classic.

Another literary work taking eccentricity as its inspiration is Dame Edith Sitwell’s (1887-1964) The English Eccentrics. The author herself has been described as an eccentric and aristocrat (her fine collection of unusual jewellery can be seen at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London). Indeed, Sitwell strongly proposed that eccentricity is deeply associated with aristocracy.

“Eccentricity is not, as some would believe, a form of madness. It is often a kind of innocent pride, and the man of genius and the aristocrat are frequently regarded as eccentrics because genius and aristocrat are entirely unafraid of and uninfluenced by the opinions and vagaries of the crowd.” (Edith Sitwell, The English Eccentrics)

It seems Sitwell might have had a valid point about eccentricity and aristocracy being mutually inclusive, or more specifically, the two things being seen as such in the past. For example, casting our eye back to the 17th century, the mentally insane were incarcerated in madhouses, whilst the mentally ill of the upper classes, whenever possible, were allowed to potter about at home at their free will. As Nigel Farndale, writer for The Telegraph, succinctly puts it:

“A mad person who is upper class is eccentric; a mad person who is working-class is mad.”

Superiority of the strange?

Thankfully the days of such disparity between classes in terms of tackling mental illness are long behind us, but let us still consider the fact that, arguably, there is a sense of superiority that goes hand in hand with eccentricity. It may no longer be a class issue, but eccentricity is unequivocally a personality trait highly aspired to. It seems everyone wants to be seen as visibly standing out from the crowd (as long as it’s for the right reasons) and to be set apart from the norm and mundane.

Just take a look at our current fashion; “vintage” has long reigned supreme as the look of choice, and our very own Manchester lass Agness Deyn is giving fellow supermodel rivals a real run for their money with her quirky, “eccentric” sense of style.
In fact, consider the whole of popular culture - past and present - for a moment and being a bit (or indeed very) eccentric; kooky, quirky, delightfully odd - whatever you want to call it, definitely comes across as the epitome of being “cool” (for want of a better word), counter culture and crucially – interesting and unique. 

Seemingly, being perceived as “eccentric” means you are considered a genuine article and (if scientific study is anything to go by - apparently blissfully happy to boot.) 

Eccentricity is also indelibly linked to humour, another quality said to define the English character, which gives eccentricity yet another boost in the desirability stakes. Comparing our supposed flair for eccentricity with other nations, Williams picks up on our particular sense of humour as an important point of difference.

“By the end of the 17th century it was accepted that there was such a thing as a unique English temperament. Its eccentricities involved a "sense of humour" as opposed to the continental aristocratic wit.” 

Standing out from the crowd...

A considerable number of our best writers, inventors, designers, actors and explorers can be described as highly eccentric, click here to meet some of the most memorable...