Dowden introduces the reader to Shakespeare the man, tracing the development of the playwright's personality through his works.

Edward Dowden (1843 -1913) was an Irish critic and poet. Dowden's first book, Shakespeare, his Mind and Art (1875), resulted from a revision of a course of lectures and began his reputation as a critic. A History of French Literature: Short Histories of the Literatures of the World was written in 1895. The book covers French literature from the Middle Ages to 1850 with an extensive bibliography at the end.

"A History of French Literature" from Edward Dowden. Irish critic and poet (1843-1913).

"Robert Browning" from Edward Dowden. Irish critic and poet (1843-1913).