Introductory note on Homer (Volume 22, Harvard Classics)

Unfavorable winds sent by angry gods blew the ships of Odysseus far off their course. The sailors were cast upon a remote island, governed by an enchantress where, for their coarse manners, they were put under a magic spell. (Volume 22, Harvard Classics)

Introductory note on Socrates and Plato (Volume 2, Harvard Classics)

The death sentence of Socrates could not be executed until the return of the sacred ship from Delos. One day his friends learned that the ship had returned. They hastened to the prison to listen to the last words of Athens' sage. (Volume 2, Harvard Classics)

Introductory note on Alfred, Lord Tennyson (Wikipedia)

"For I dipt into the future – saw the nation's airy navies grappling in the central blue." We are amazed at the accuracy of Tennyson's prediction. But he also foretells "the federation of the world" – yet to be fulfilled. (Volume 42, Harvard Classics)

Alfred Lord Tennyson born Aug. 6, 1809.

Introductory note on Robert Burns (Volume 6, Harvard Classics)

"Cotter's Saturday Night" for generations to come will remain the choicest picture of Scotch home life. Into this poem Burns instills the sense of all-pervading peace and happiness that comes at the end of a well-spent day. (Volume 6, Harvard Classics)

Robert Burns married Jean Armour, Aug. 5, 1788.

Introductory note on Hans Christian Andersen (Volume 17, Harvard Classics)

Hans Christian Andersen had an extraordinary capacity for amusing children. Were he living to-day he might be in great demand as a radio bedtime story man. (Volume 17, Harvard Classics)

H. C. Andersen died Aug. 4, 1875.