Introductory Note: John Keats
Introductory note on John Keats (The Ridpath Library of Universal Literature)

Introductory note on John Keats (The Ridpath Library of Universal Literature)
At midnight on the eve of St. Agnes there were certain solemn ceremonies which all virgins must perform to have "visions of delight and soft adorings from their loves." Porphyro took advantage of this custom to win his bride. (Volume 41, Harvard Classics) St. Agnes' Eve, Jan. 20.
Introductory note on Edgar Allan Poe (Volume 28, Harvard Classics)
Regarded in Europe as one of America's greatest writers, Poe originated the detective story, perfected the mystery short story, and produced America’s first great poems. Here he unravels the fabric of which all poetry is woven. (Volume 28, Harvard Classics) Edgar Allan Poe born Jan. 19, 1809.
Introductory note on Aristophanes (Volume 8, Harvard Classics)
"Shall I crack any of those old jokes, master, at which the audience never fails to laugh?" Like an up-to-date vaudeville team, Xanthias and Dionysus start off a dialogue that mingles wit and poetry with humor and keen satire. (Volume 8, Harvard Classics)
Good middle-class people, Franklin boasts, were his ancestors. Some have attributed his genius to his being the youngest son of the youngest son for five generations. In his famous autobiography, he reveals quaint family history. (Volume 1, Harvard Classics) Benjamin Franklin born Jan. 17, 1706.
Introductory note on Benjamin Franklin (Volume 1, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on Æsop’s Fables (Volume 17, Harvard Classics)
An old woman once found a wine jar, but it was empty. She sniffed at the mouth of the jar and said: "What memories cling 'round the instruments of our pleasure." (Volume 17, Harvard Classics)
Omar Khayyam laughed and enjoyed the good things of life. His "Rubaiyat," the most popular philosophic poem, is the best of all books to dip into for an alluring thought. (Volume 41, Harvard Classics) "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam" first published Jan. 15, 1859.
Introductory note on Omar Khayyam (Volume 41, Harvard Classics)
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut is "the first written constitution as a permanent limitation on governmental power, known in history." It is the work of the Connecticut Yankee. (Volume 43, Harvard Classics) Fundamental Orders of Connecticut adopted Jan. 14, 1639.
Introductory note on American Historical Documents (Volume 43, Harvard Classics)
Rousseau taught that men were not created free and equal. To substantiate his daring beliefs he traced man's history back to his primitive beginnings. For his teachings, Rousseau was forced to seek refuge in England. (Volume 34, Harvard Classics) Jean Jacques Rousseau arrived in England, Jan. 13, 1766.
Introductory note on Jean Jacques Rousseau (Volume 34, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on Edmund Burke (Volume 24, Harvard Classics)
A Turkish sultan, relates Burke, when shown a picture of the beheaded John the Baptist, praised many things, but pointed out one gruesome defect. Did this observation show the sultan to be an inferior judge of art? (Volume 24, Harvard Classics) Edmund Burke born Jan. 12, 1729.
Introductory note on Alexander Hamilton (The Ridpath Library of Universal Literature)
Hamilton organized the Treasury Department. He penned most of the Federalist papers, which were greatly influential in bringing New York into the Union --- the first step toward its eminent position in national and world finance. (Volume 43, Harvard Classics) Alexander Hamilton born Jan. 11, 1757.
King Pantheus of Thebes contended against Dionysus, the God, for the adoration of the Theban women. The god was winning by bewitching the women when the king interceded. Euripides tells the story in a masterpiece of Greek drama. (Volume 8, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on Euripides (Volume 8, Harvard Classics)
With only fifty-two men, Sir Francis Drake conceives the idea of attacking his archenemy, Spain, at her most vulnerable point the treasure at Nombre de Dios. (Volume 33, Harvard Classics) Drake died at Nombre de Dios, Jan. 9, 1596.
Introductory note on Sir Francis Drake (Volume 33, Harvard Classics)
God was pleased with the piety of Job, but Satan accredited the piety to Job's prosperity and happiness. So a trial was made. See how each succeeding affliction visited on Job shook the depths of his nature, and how he survived. (Volume 44, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on The Book of Job (Volume 44, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on The Thousand and One Nights (Volume 16, Harvard Classics)
The Sultan had a habit of beheading each dawn his beautiful bride of the night before, until he encountered Scheherazade. Cleverly she saved her life a thousand and one mornings. (Volume 16, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on Virgil (Volume 13, Harvard Classics)
In the dead of night Hector's ghost appeared to warn Æneas of the impending doom to come upon the walled city of Troy. Æneas lifted his aged father on his back and, taking his son by the hand, sought safety in flight. Off to Latium! (Volume 13, Harvard Classics) H. Schliemann, discoverer of ancient Troy, born Jan. 6, 1822.