English Literature

Evelyn Waugh's biographer, Selina Hastings, explores the decadence of the young and rich in 1920s London, and tells us about the author's rebellious youth, bullying disposition and later breakdown – as well as just how much (and early) he drank

Who read Byron in his time? How much did a copy of Wordsworth cost? The scholar guides us through the astonishing history of reading in the Romantic period of English literature

Though many scholars have done meticulous work and brought to life slices of his life, writing a traditional, cradle-to-grave biography of Shakespeare is impossible, says Shakespeare scholar James Shapiro. Here he selects some of his favourite books tackling aspects of Shakespeare's life, including the one he most wishes he had written himself.