The Harvard Universal Classics, affectionately known as Dr. Eliot’s Five Foot Shelf, represents a grand anthology of literary brilliance that has stood the test of time. Originally compiled by Harvard University President Charles W. Eliot in 1909, this updated edition encompasses all 71 volumes, carefully curated to provide the breadth of human thought and experience.
Eliot envisioned a unique approach to education, claiming that a liberal education could be achieved by dedicating just 15 minutes daily to reading from a selective collection of books—many of which could fit on a five-foot shelf. With this idea, P. F. Collier and Son challenged Eliot to create a compilation that would represent major literary works throughout history, leading to the birth of The Harvard Classics.
The anthology is not merely a collection; it is a gateway to engage readers with some of the greatest minds in literature. Each volume, comprising 400–450 pages, contains significant works or complete segments that reflect the world’s written legacies. Eliot collaborated with William A. Neilson, an esteemed professor of English, to curate this monumental collection. Within its pages, you will encounter philosophers, poets, and writers that have shaped human thought up to the twentieth century.
Significantly, Eliot expanded this impressive repository eight years later with 'The Harvard Classics Shelf of Fiction,' adding 20 more volumes featuring celebrated novels and short stories. This collection boasts illustrious figures from Frankiln, Plato, and Milton, to masterpieces like "Don Quixote" and "The Divine Comedy." The anthology is regarded as a treasure trove for anyone seeking to explore the depths of literary history.
From philosophy to poetry and fiction, The Complete Harvard Classics offers an unparalleled literary journey that is both educational and enriching—making it a perfect addition to any literature lover’s library.
