A luminous reintroduction to a towering mind, Bacon invites readers into the braided worlds of thought that shaped English literature. This volume gathers Richard William Church's lucid biographical literary essays, offering keen francis bacon critique alongside portraits and portraits of authors who defined early modern English literature. In its pages you'll find a clear through-line from the Elizabethan flame to Victorian scholarly discourse: insightful literary criticism collection that situates authors like Samuel Johnson and Charles Lamb within a living tradition. Church's graceful biographical sketches illuminate motive, method, and milieu, turning complex ideas into accessible study for curious readers and serious scholars alike. It is more than a survey of voices; it's a study of how biography informs judgment, and how literature becomes culture. Historically significant as a landmark in English literary biography, this volume anchors late nineteenth century Britain's scholarly conversations and continues to be a relevant reference for research for scholars and students. It's a complete collection edition that bridges past rhetoric and contemporary reflection, making old debates newly resonant for today's readers. Out of print for decades and now republished by Alpha Editions, this edition is restored for today's and future generations. More than a reprint - a collector's item and a cultural treasure, ideal as a college study resource and a dignified addition to any literary library.