Albert, Edward

About the author

Edward Albert (1890–1944) was an English literary historian and educator whose work exemplified the early 20th-century drive to formalize English literature as a cornerstone of academic study. His sweeping overviews provided students with chronological snapshots of significant authors, movements, and cultural contexts, aiming to reveal how literary forms evolve in tandem with social currents. Eschewing dense theoretical models, Albert’s discourse strove for accessibility, ensuring that those without a deep literary background could follow the development of poetry, drama, and prose through distinct historical phases. His emphasis on historical links between texts and societal change underscored his belief that literature serves as both a reflection and catalyst of civilization’s moral and aesthetic progress.