Memory,

by William Lyon Phelps

This early work by William Lyon Phelps was originally published in the early 20th century and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'Memory' is an essay about the curiosities of remembering and the varying abilities of memory possessed by certain individuals. William Lyon Phelps was born on 2nd January 1865, in New Haven, Conneticut, United States. Phelps earned a B.A. in 1887, writing his thesis on the Idealism of George Berkeley. He then gained an M.A. in 1891 from Yale and his PhD from Harvard in the same year. During his time a Yale, he offered a course in modern novels which brought the university considerable attention both nationally and internationally. Phelps published many essays on modern and European literature, including titles such as 'Essays on Modern Novelists' (1910), 'Some Makers of American Literature' (1923), and 'As I Like it' (1923).

50 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1929

About the author

Professor of English at Yale University, 1892-1933.

Reviews

[Bonnie]

I found this little book published in 1928 in my father's belongings after he died 10 years ago. I kept it but never read it. I was recently organizing some things, found it again and this time I read it. It's more of an essay, really, but such great insight and inspiration for a 15 minute read.

One of the highlights for me was that our living children don't pay mind to their parents as they should. Said children seem to know everything but someday realize after their parents are gone that maybe they could have gleaned something if they (WE), just took the time and made an effort to pay attention and listen and learn. Our parents can still teach us things long after they have departed this world, but wouldn't it be ideal if we chose to learn the bulk of it before they are gone?

Perhaps we all could have done better. What a shame to have lost something so important and useful before it was needed the most.

How do we teach a stubborn generation? I guess they have to learn it for themselves; just as I am doing now and those who follow my lineage.