The Divine Comedy

The collection features 51 volumes of essential writings in literature, philosophy, history, and mythology, curated by Charles William Eliot, Harvard's longest-serving president. Known as "Dr. Eliot's Five Foot Shelf," this anthology reflects Eliot's vision that a foundational liberal education can be achieved through a carefully selected range of significant texts. Originally published between 1909 and 1917, it remains a monumental resource for readers seeking to explore the classics of Western thought and culture.