On Books and the Housing of Them

Name: On Books and the Housing of Them
Author: W. E. Gladstone

By W. E. Gladstone

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Essays, Letters & Speeches

About This Book

An extended essay argues that books are both physical objects and carriers of thought, and that their form, including paper, type and binding, should harmonize with their content. The author surveys historical changes in book production, laments periods of scarcity, and warns that modern growth in publishing creates practical problems of storage and distribution. He criticizes mismatched ornamentation and poor reproduction, examines copyright and the role of circulating libraries in access, and predicts increasing specialization in scholarship. The essay treats books as instruments of communion with the past while urging sensible standards of economy, workmanship, and housing to meet future demand.

About the Author

W. E. Gladstone

William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898) was a prominent British statesman and writer, serving as Prime Minister four times during the late 19th century. He is known for his significant contributions to political thought and reform, particularly in the areas of home rule for Ireland. Gladstone's literary works reflect his deep engagement with classical literature, as seen in his extensive studies on Homer and the Homeric Age, which explore the cultural and political contexts of ancient Greece. His autobiographical writings and speeches also provide insight into his political philosophy and the tumultuous era in which he lived.