The First Printed Translations into English of the Great Foreign Classics / A Supplement to Text-Books of English Literature

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

49103

Title

The First Printed Translations into English of the Great Foreign Classics / A Supplement to Text-Books of English Literature

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A scholarly bibliography compiling the first English translations of major foreign classics to supplement literary history textbooks. It traces the influence of global authors on English literature, offering concise entries on dates, translators, and works.

Summary up to 500 words

Compiled by William James Harris in 1909, *The First Printed Translations into English of the Great Foreign Classics* serves as an essential supplement to textbooks of English literature, designed to assist students in tracing the profound foreign influences that have shaped national literary development. Adopting a dictionary arrangement, the work alphabetically lists authors ranging from ancient Greek tragedians like Aeschylus and Aristophanes to modern figures such as Balzac and Baudelaire. Each entry meticulously details original publication dates, specific translation dates, and translator names, often highlighting the impact of these works on English drama and poetry. The bibliography encompasses a diverse array of genres, including Greek tragedies, Italian novels, German fairy tales, and Spanish romances. It elucidates how seminal foreign classics, such as those by Homer, Aesop, and Cervantes, fundamentally influenced English imaginative writing. For instance, the text notes how Aeschylus's tragedies affected English drama through intermediaries like Racine and Shelley, while the fables of Aesop, first translated by William Caxton in 1484, have arguably never been surpassed for point and brevity, influencing nearly all subsequent fables. Harris addresses the significant difficulty students face in researching these historical connections, providing a concise reference to save time and effort. The volume is particularly useful for those preparing for professional examinations, such as those offered by the Library Association. While acknowledging the inherent imperfections of such a compilation, Harris verifies every entry from multiple sources to ensure accuracy. The work aims to fill a gap in literary bibliography by enabling students to note the effects of foreign translations on the works of great imaginative writers without the fatigue of searching catalogues and bibliographies. By focusing on authors whose work went to the making of English literature, Harris provides a vital tool for understanding the cross-cultural currents that defined the English literary canon.

LLM editorial rating

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Categories

• Classics
• Literature