Essays on Literature brings together ten of the most important literary reviews and essays written by the acclaimed Victorian philosopher, social critic, and essayist Thomas Carlyle. Spanning his writing career, the essays allow the reader to track Carlyle's development as a reviewer and stylist, the evolution of his perennial themes, and the tremendous impact of his writing on the development of British and American literature. In keeping with the Norman and Charlotte Strouse Edition of the Writings of Thomas Carlyle, these essays are accompanied by a thorough historical introduction to the material, extensive notes providing historical and cultural context while expanding on references and allusions, and a textual apparatus that carefully details and explains the editorial decisions made in reconciling the many editions of each essay.
  “The product of extensive research and a long familiarity with the subject, this is an exceptionally well-conceived and well-executed contribution. The historical material and textual apparatus are tremendously useful, and the style thoughtfully chosen. It is sure to eclipse all previous sources.”—Ian Campbell, Professor Emeritus of Scottish and Victorian Literature at the University of Edinburgh

"Carlyle’s idiosyncratic genius is a source of perennial astonishment. Continuing the meticulous scholarship that characterizes the Norman and Charlotte Strouse Edition of the Writings of Thomas Carlyle, this volume will prove essential to new readers and advanced scholars alike."—Mark Allison, Associate Professor of English at Ohio Wesleyan University

“Thorough, brilliant, informative, creative, scholarly, and insightful. A massive undertaking.”—Jude V. Nixon, Professor of English and former Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Salem State University