Introductory Note: Edgar Allan Poe
Introductory note on Edgar Allan Poe (Volume 28, Harvard Classics)

Introductory note on Edgar Allan Poe (Volume 28, Harvard Classics)
Edgar Allan Poe was expelled from West Point and disinherited. So poor was he that when his young wife lay dying, he could not afford a fire to warm her. The weirdness and despair of "The Raven" is particularly symbolic of his life. (Volume 42, Harvard Classics) Poe expelled from West Point, March 6, 1831.
Introductory note on Benvenuto Cellini (Volume 31, Harvard Classics)
Prison walls were the least of Cellini's troubles. "Lock me well up and watch me, for I shall certainly contrive to escape." In spite of this warning, the utmost care of the jailers only furnished amusement for the dauntless Cellini. (Volume 31, Harvard Classics)
Penn, true to Quaker beliefs, came before the king with his hat on. The king overlooked this and later made him governor of Pennsylvania. A sagacious Penn is revealed in his writings. (Volume 1, Harvard Classics) King Charles grants Penn charter of Pennsylvania, March 4, 1681.
Introductory note on William Penn (Volume 1, Harvard Classics)
Isaak Walton, famed patron of fishermen, appreciated other arts and hobbies. He writes of George Herbert, a preacher whose hobby was poetry. (Volume 15, Harvard Classics) George Herbert died March 3, 1633.
From the Introduction to The Life of Mr. George Herbert by Izaak Walton (Volume 15, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on Richard Henry Dana, Jr. (Volume 23, Harvard Classics)
"A sailor's liberty is but for a day," as Dana explains. Dressed in his Sunday best, the sailor feels like a dashing Beau Brummel; and sets out to enjoy his freedom. "While it lasts it is perfect. He is under no one's eye and can do whatever he pleases." (Volume 23, Harvard Classics)
Word pictures are often more vivid than photographs. Steele had a gift for originating characters that are remembered longer than flesh and blood people. Sir Roger de Coverly and Will Honeycomb are now bold figures in literature. (Volume 27, Harvard Classics) First issue of the "Spectator," published March 1, 1711.
Introductory note on Sir Richard Steele (Volume 27, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on Michel de Montaigne (Volume 32, Harvard Classics)
Proficient in Latin even before he knew his own tongue, Montaigne received an unusual education. His whole life was spent in storing up his choice thoughts for our profit and pleasure. (Volume 32, Harvard Classics) Michel de Montaigne born Feb. 28, 1533.
"Tell me not in mournful numbers, life is but an empty dream..." "Stars of the summer night! Far in yon azure deeps--" So begin poems that have charmed and cheered thousands. (Volume 42, Harvard Classics) Longfellow born Feb. 27, 1807.
Introductory note on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Wikipedia)
Introductory note on Victor Hugo (Wikipedia)
Hugo was insulted by the most powerful critics in France. He put into the preface of a play "his sling and his stone" by which others might slay "the classical Goliath." (Volume 39, Harvard Classics) Victor Hugo born Feb. 26, 1802.
The brilliant wit and cutting satire of Defoe made for him friends and enemies --- but mostly enemies. So piercing and two-edged was "The Shortest-Way with Dissenters" that he was fined, imprisoned and pilloried. (Volume 27, Harvard Classics) "The Shortest-Way with Dissenters" censored, Feb. 25. 1703.
Introductory note on Daniel Defoe (Volume 27, Harvard Classics)
In a superb poem, Milton bids Loathed Melancholy begone to some dark cell. He calls for the joys of youth and vows eternal faith with them. (Volume 4, Harvard Classics) John Milton marries his third wife, Elizabeth Marshall, Feb. 24, 1662.
Introductory note on John Milton (Volume 4, Harvard Classics)
Gossipy, witty Pepys had a curiosity that made him famous. He knew all the news of court and street. Stevenson, who never put his pen to a dull subject, writes of Pepys. (Volume 28, Harvard Classics) Samuel Pepys born Feb. 23, 1632.
Introductory note on Robert Louis Stevenson (Volume 28, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on Robert Burns (Volume 6, Harvard Classics)
Burns asks for Columbia's harp, and then sings of liberty. He bewails the sad state of the land of Alfred and Wallace which once championed liberty, and now fights for tyranny. (Volume 6, Harvard Classics) George Washington born Feb. 22, 1732.
Just what makes a university? A group of fine buildings? A library? A staff of well-trained teachers? A body of eager students? A winning football team? Cardinal Newman defines the prime functions of a university. (Volume 28, Harvard Classics) Cardinal Newman born Feb. 21, 1801.
Introductory note on John Henry Newman (Volume 28, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on Voltaire (Volume 34, Harvard Classics)
Because the early Quakers shook, trembled, and quaked when they became inspired --- they received the title of "Quakers." This sect attracted the keen-minded Voltaire, who made interesting notes on them during his visit to England. (Volume 34, Harvard Classics)