Victorian Literature: Sixty Years of Books and Bookmen

by Clement King Shorter

"Victorian Literature: Sixty Years of Books and Bookmen" by Clement King Shorter is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work provides insights and reflections on various literary figures, movements, and significant works from the Victorian era, encapsulating the literature and cultural context of that time. It explores the evolution of literary tastes and critical opinion across generations, drawing connections between past authors and their enduring impacts on society. The opening of the book introduces the author’s ambition to provide a bibliographical perspective on Victorian literature within the context of Queen Victoria's reign. Shorter discusses the fluctuating status of poets and novelists, emphasizing how certain works and authors have faded from public memory while others have endured. He reflects on the critical reception of poets like Wordsworth and Tennyson and highlights the varying fortunes of novelists such as Dickens and Thackeray. The chapter sets the stage for a broader exploration of literature and its relationship with social and historical changes, showcasing the dynamic nature of literary appreciation over time.