%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20id%3D%22Layer_1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20684.6%2068.1%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%20684.6%2068.1%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cg%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M444.1%2C29.3h-17.4v14.5h17.4V29.3z%20M36.4%2C68.1l29.3-50.8V0H50.4L32.9%2C36.8L15.5%2C0H0v68.1h16.7V45.8l12.4%2C22.3H36.4z%0A%09%09%20M49.1%2C68.1h16.6V23.4L49.1%2C52.1V68.1z%20M76.6%2C68.1h45V53.8H93.3V41.6h21V27.1h-21V14.8h28.3V0.1h-45V68.1z%20M175.6%2C68.1h17.3v-68%0A%09%09h-16.5v40.3L150%2C0.1h-17.6v68h16.7V27.7L175.6%2C68.1z%20M235.8%2C14.8h15.4V0.1h-47.4v14.7H219v53.2h16.8V14.8z%20M290.3%2C45.9h-17.1%0A%09%09l7.5-15.6h2L290.3%2C45.9z%20M298.7%2C68.1h18l-32.2-68h-5.7l-32%2C68h18l3.3-7.1h27.1L298.7%2C68.1z%20M325.2%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1h-16.7%0A%09%09V68.1z%20M423.7%2C14.8h27.2V0.1H407v68h16.7V14.8z%20M462%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1H462V68.1z%20M564.8%2C34.1c0%2C10.7-7.2%2C19.2-18.5%2C19.2%0A%09%09c-11.4%2C0-18.5-8.5-18.5-19.2s7.1-19.2%2C18.5-19.2C557.6%2C14.9%2C564.8%2C23.4%2C564.8%2C34.1%20M580.6%2C34.1c0-19-14.2-34-34.3-34%0A%09%09c-20.2%2C0-34.3%2C15-34.3%2C34c0%2C19%2C14.1%2C34%2C34.3%2C34C566.4%2C68.1%2C580.6%2C53.1%2C580.6%2C34.1%20M604.8%2C20.5c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2%0A%09%09c4.4%2C0%2C6.6%2C3%2C6.6%2C6.6h14.7C631.8%2C9.1%2C625.1%2C0.1%2C611%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8%0A%09%09c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6%0A%09%09c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8C610.6%2C26.1%2C604.8%2C25.3%2C604.8%2C20.5%20M670%2C20.9h14.7C683.8%2C9.1%2C677.1%2C0.1%2C663%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6%0A%09%09c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8%0A%09%09c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8c-5.4-1.6-11.3-2.4-11.3-7.2c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2C667.7%2C14.4%2C670%2C17.3%2C670%2C20.9%0A%09%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
The bizarre events leading up to Edgar Allan Poe’s death continue to spark debate and speculation.
Poetry
Where did this curious expression come from, and what’s so right about rain, anyway?
On New Year’s Eve, after the ball has dropped, revelers queue up “Auld Lang Syne”—that song that makes you cry, even though you don’t understand it and know almost none of the words.
Clement Clarke Moore is widely believed to be the author of “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” But the Livingston family of New York begs to differ.
“Once upon a midnight dreary” begins “The Raven,” setting the mood for one of the most recognizable poems written in English.
Celebrate the many contributions to literature that LGBTQ+ authors have made with these great reads by Danez Smith, Dorothy Allison, Alexander Chee, Alice Walker, and more.
The poem “The Rainbow Bridge” has long comforted animal lovers who are mourning a pet. But for decades, its author remained a mystery.
These memorable quotes from LGBTQ+ leaders—on everything from intersectionality to being an ally—will ring true all year round.
‘Having an albatross around your neck’ means “facing an inescapable burden.” As for where the phrase originated, you can thank classic literature.
Discover the controversial conspiracy theories that challenge Shakespeare’s authorship, from the Baconian Theory to the Alien Theory and beyond.
The origins of Ireland's ‘Emerald Isle’ nickname trace back to the 18th-century physician, poet, and activist who penned the poem “When Erin First Rose.”
Robert Burns was voted the greatest Scot over iconic warrior William Wallace in a 2009 poll.
Burns Night isn't the only thing named after Robert Burns. Streets, towns, and monuments throughout the world were christened in his honor.
This all-new translation of the Homer epic is six years in the making.
Though their contributions were immense, many aren’t well-known outside of their nations’ borders.
The late, great American writer Henry Charles Bukowski, Jr. was once called the “human embodiment of a raised middle finger”—an analogy that Bukowski would probably have welcomed, or possibly even written about himself. Here's what you should know.
The lives, hobbies, and eccentricities of some of the world’s greatest poets made them much more than titans of the turn of phrase.
Phillis Wheatley was the American colonies’ first Black poet and second woman to publish a book of poems. Here are more facts about her.
Langston Hughes was a poet, novelist, playwright, and reporter who helped define the Harlem Renaissance. Find out more about his life and work.
One of the most celebrated authors in history never saw a book published under her own name.
Dr. Maya Angelou’s verses are at the very heart of the American experience—yet she didn’t start out as a poet.
More From the Literature Section
Folklore, literature, and archaeology all play into why leprechauns are often pictured with pots of gold.
Artists and storytellers tend to seek out inspiration, frequently latching on to a person or idea as their muse. But who were the original Muses, the Greek Goddesses responsible for art and education?
A blend of personal trauma and real-world tragedy created the conditions for William Golding's famously pessimistic novel to emerge.
Historians say the newly discovered location changes what we know about Shakespeare’s final years.
Mary Bennet rarely takes center stage in 'Pride and Prejudice'—but these five books reimagine the quiet sister with romance, mystery, and fresh perspective.
In honor of World Book Day, here are five ways to read more books that are sure to help you fall back in love with reading.
World Book Day is April 23, the day William Shakespeare and a number of other famous authors died. Learn more about the history and origins of this literary celebration here.
These musicals inspired by Shakespeare imagine what would happen if Juliet didn't die, if "A Midsummer Night's Dream" took place in a nightclub, and more.