F. R. Leavis

Frank Raymond Leavis (July 14, 1895 - April 14, 1978) was an influential British literary critic of the early-to-mid-twentieth century. He taught and studied for nearly his entire life at Downing College, Cambridge.

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One of the best-known of the New Critics, Leavis elevated the reputations of some literary figures and denigrated others. He was noted for his forceful personality and insightful readings. He collaborated closely with his wife, Q. D. Leavis, to the extent that it was difficult to distinguish their contributions.

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In particular, the early reception of T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound's poetry, and also the reading of Gerard Manley Hopkins, were considerably enhanced by Leavis's proclamation of their greatness. His dislike of John Milton, on the other hand, had no great impact on Milton's popular esteem. Leavis founded the journal Scrutiny, which was an outlet for much of the best English criticism of its time, as well as being a partisan vehicle for his school.

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Leavis later republished a number of his Scrutiny articles in book form in order to promote what he termed the 'great tradition' of the English novel. Authors within this tradition were all characterised by a serious or responsible attitude to the moral complexity of life and included Jane Austen, George Eliot, Henry James, Joseph Conrad, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Charles Dickens and D H Lawrence.

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July 14: July 14 is the 195th day (196th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 170 days remaining....

1895: 1895 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar)....

1978: 1978 was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar)....