Introductory Note: Thomas Hobbes
Introductory note on Thomas Hobbes (Volume 34, Harvard Classics)

Introductory note on Thomas Hobbes (Volume 34, Harvard Classics)
Dreams and their causes interested Hobbes. Without superstition, the philosopher weighed the evidence of ghosts, goblins, and witches. (Volume 34, Harvard Classics) Hobbes born April 5, 1588.
Genial and rollicking fun are provided in this highly entertaining story of a man who mistakes a private house for an inn, and who treats his host's daughter like a serving maid. (Volume 18, Harvard Classics) Oliver Goldsmith born April 4, 1774.
Introductory note on Oliver Goldsmith (Volume 18, Harvard Classics)
"As a conqueror enters a surprised city; love made such resolutions as neither party was able to resist. She changed her name into Herbert the third day after this first interview." (Volume 15, Harvard Classics) George Herbert born April 3, 1593.
Introductory note on Izaak Walton (Volume 15, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on Charles Darwin (#2) (Volume 29, Harvard Classics)
A huge spoon dressed in human finery, placed on a grave, appears to become convulsed when the moon's rays fall on it and dances to the tune of chanting natives. Weird sights, according to Darwin, abound in the South Seas. (Volume 29, Harvard Classics)
Everyone knows the pangs of homesickness in the spring. Even bright, sparkling Italy could not wean Browning's affection from the green hedgerows of misty England. (Volume 42, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on Robert Browning (Wikipedia)
Introductory note on Izaak Walton (Volume 15, Harvard Classics)
Monuments are usually made from death masks, but John Donne took pleasure in posing for his, wrapped from head to foot in a shroud. Isaak Walton tells of this in his fascinating biography of the eccentric poet. (Volume 15, Harvard Classics) John Donne died March 31, 1631.
Introductory note on Alessandro Manzoni (Volume 21, Harvard Classics)
"I Promessi Sposi," a seventeenth century novel, vividly describes the devastating plague of Milan. Then whole families sickened in a few hours and died in less than a day's time of strange and violent complaints whose symptoms were unknown to physicians. (Volume 21, Harvard Classics) Capuchin monks given charge of the plague hospital in Milan, March 30, 1630.
Introductory note on The Story of the Volsungs and Niblungs (Volume 49, Harvard Classics)
Brynhild, favorite goddess of Norse mythology, plighted troth with Sigurd, fearless warrior. But Sigurd forgot Brynhild and married Gudrun, whose brother, Gunner, then set out to win the beautiful Brynhild. Complications very like a modern triangle arose. (Volume 49, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on Adam Smith (Volume 10, Harvard Classics)
The making of a simple pin is one of the most complex affairs of modern industry. Adam Smith regards the process from the worker's point of view, and shows the many and varied economic principles that are involved in pin making. (Volume 10, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on Robert Louis Stevenson (Volume 28, Harvard Classics)
Is lying or quibbling ever permissible? May one juggle words so a truth is conveyed through a lie and a lie told by a truth? Stevenson unravels this puzzle. (Volume 28, Harvard Classics)
Men in all ages have recognized the ingenuity of the practical philosophy and freshness of Æsop's allegories. Spend a few delightful moments with the wit and wisdom of Æsop. (Volume 17, Harvard Classics) Caxton prints Æsop's Fables, March 26, 1484.
Introductory note on Æsop’s Fables (Volume 17, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on Hamlet by William Shakespeare (Volume 46, Harvard classics)
Hamlet pondered over which course contained the least unhappiness --- whether to suffer here and not incur new dangers, or whether to end it all and chance the unknown terrors of the next world. See how Hamlet reasoned. (Volume 46, Harvard Classics) Shakespeare makes his will, March 25, 1616.
Introductory note on William Morris (Wikipedia)
Guenevere, King Arthur's queen, justly accused but harshly treated, makes a noble and brave attempt to convince her court that Gawaine lied and that Launcelot was true. (Volume 16, Harvard Classics) William Morris born March 24, 1834.
Shahrazad, favorite of the treacherous Sultan's harem, selected a most thrilling story for her bridal night. By leaving it unfinished she was privileged to live to continue it the next night --- and so on for a thousand and one nights. (Volume 16, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on The Thousand and One Nights (Volume 16, Harvard Classics)
Introductory note on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Volume 19, Harvard Classics)
The Faust legend, which can be traced to puppet shows of earlier days, portrays a philosopher who, through Satan's aid and in return for the price of his soul, works magic at will. From this rude framework Goethe has reared a drama of sublime grandeur. (Volume 19, Harvard Classics) Goethe died March 22, 1832.