British Literary Classics Chosen For Unesco

Chronicle (Levin), 8 July 1949, Page 5

British Literary Classics Chosen For Unesco

LONDON^ July 7. The Ministry of Education has 'issued a list of 23 British classics whieh it has reeommended should be i'neluded in the list of 100 of the world 's- best boofe. This list is being prepared by Unescq with the object" "of encouraging the translation of the classics in literature, philosophy, humanities and social and natural 'sciences. The names of national classics which they consider suitable for insertion in the Unesco list, are being submitted by all meinber states. Th British list, which was selected by a working party appointed by the United Kingdooi National Co-operatiiig Body for Arts and Letters, is, as "foiiows;-— i Jane Austen, "Pride and Predju-.-dice"; Francis Baeon, Essays; Williairi Blake, "Songs of Inpocenee affd Experience"; James Boswell, "Life of Samuel Johnso,n"j Emily Bronte, "Wuthering Heights"; Johg Bunyan, "Pilgritn's Progre.ss"; Robqrt BqrRS? selected poems; Geoffrey Uhaueer, "Canterbury Tales";- Charles jkrwin, "Origin of the Species"; Daaiel Re-. foe, "Robinson Crqsoe"; ChaUe.Diekens, "David Copperfieldh'; tieorge Eliot, "hfiddlepiarch"; Gibbon, "De. cline and Fall of the Romaa Empiyex'} John Keats, poems; Mallory, G Morte d'Arthur"; John £ptuart Mill "On Lib erty"; John Milton, poetical works'; Alexander Pope, "Essay o.n Man"; Walter Scott, "Heart of Midlothian"; William Shakespeare, coinplete wovk^ (if a seleetion has to he made) ; Hani let, Macbeth, The Tpmpest, Twelfth Night, King Henry the Fourth, parv? one and two. The Sonnets, King Lear, Julius Caes'ar, Midsuinmer Night 'a Dream, Anthony and Cleopatra, Venus and Adonis); Shelley, selected poeius; Swift, "Gulliver's Travels"; William Wordsworth, selected poems. The list is to be widely circulated and suggestions invited hefore it is sent to Unesco. The final seleetion will be by Unesco only after further consultation with speeialists and internatipnal bodies. Members of the British seleetion group were Professor O. M. Bowra,* Warden of Wadhain Oollege, Oxford; Professor B. Willey, professor of English at Cambridge; Mr John Hampden, head of the literature group of the British Couneil; Mr V. S. Pritchett, author and critic; and Dr. John Hampden, expert in Celtic studies. .