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| Dante's Inferno IDante, one of the world’s finest and most influential poets of western literature, was born in Florence, Italy, in 1265. He got caught up in the economic and political upheavals of his day.Grades 6-8 | 9-12 English | History-Social Science |
| Dante's Inferno IIAfter Dante was banished from Florence in 1302, he wrote his great masterpiece "The Divine Comedy." By writing it in Italian, the language of the people, he helped drag readers out of their slavish devotion to Latin.Grades 6-8 | 9-12 English | History-Social Science |
| Samuel Johnson: PatronageIn Samuel Johnson’s "Dictionary of the English Language," he defines a patron: One who countenances, supports or protects; commonly a wretch who supports with insolence, and is paid with flattery.Grades 9-12 History-Social Science |
| Samuel Johnson: Alleviating PovertySamuel Johnson, like his contemporary British writers, struggled with poverty while establishing his career. He later wrote of those years with a mixture of warning and compassion.Grades 9-12 English |
| G.K. Chesterton IIn turn-of-twentieth-century Britain, no star in the literary firmament shone brighter than that of G.K. Chesterton. Author, critic, journalist and Christian apologist, his influence stretched across four decades.Grades 9-12 English |
| G.K. Chesterton IIG.K Chesterton was known as the Prince of Paradox and his opinions defied normal categories. Liberal, conservative, believer, and skeptic: he infuriated and charmed them all.Grades 9-12 English |
| Samuel Johnson: London Center of the WorldOf the many passions in a passionate life, few exceeded the city of London for Samuel Johnson. He told his biographer, James Boswell, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”Grades 6-8 | 9-12 English |
| James Cabell and Ellen GlasgowAmong the writers in Hollywood two early twentieth century contemporaries earned national acclaim for their novels. Pulitzer Prize winner Ellen Glasgow was occasionally beleaguered by rivalry from her longtime literary friend James Branch Cabell.Grades 9-12 English |
| Samuel Johnson III: Founding of the SpectorIn 1711, English British essayists Joseph Addison and Richard Steele founded a periodical known as the The Spectator. It exposed the growing British middle class to the ideas of the Enlightenment and gave authors a chance to try out a new style: the periodic essay.Grades 9-12 English |
| Introduction to Samuel Johnson2009 marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest figures of 18th century English life and letters. His contemporaries knew him simply as "Dr. Johnson."Grades 9-12 English |
