What Is a Classic? - An Address by T.S. Eliot

Sep 29, 2026

This document contains the text of the influential lecture titled 'What Is a Classic?', delivered by T.S. Eliot before the Virgil Society on October 16, 1944. Originally published by Faber & Faber in 1945, this analytical work explores the criteria and characteristics that define a 'classic' piece of literature, drawing heavily on the legacy and influence of Virgil. The provided text includes historical publication data, library stamping details, and the formal address, offering readers a profound insight into Eliot's literary criticism and his perspectives on the enduring nature of classical works within the Western canon. It serves as a significant historical record of 20th-century aesthetic and literary theory, reflecting on how literature establishes its status as a timeless classic through cultural and intellectual resonance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages40

Reading Time1 h 2 min

AccessFree to download

What Is a Classic? - An Address by T.S. Eliot

FAQs

When and where was the address 'What Is a Classic?' delivered?

The address was delivered before the Virgil Society on October 16, 1944.

Who is the author of 'What Is a Classic?'

The author is the renowned poet and literary critic T.S. Eliot.

When was this specific work first published?

The work was first published by Faber & Faber Limited in 1945.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Lucas Martin