Classical Memoirs

Robert Crosbie recounts the life of his friend and teacher, the notable William Q. Judge, one of the three founders of the Theosophical Society.In this brief biography, we learn that it was from the early age of seven, not from birth, that Judge came to possess the remarkable consciousness we've come to know.

In this excerpt from her historically significant autobiography first published in 1889, American suffragette, educator, and president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union Frances Willard gives us a deeper understanding of the ethos of the woman’s temperance movement, as well as the day to day struggles and triumphs of the movement in the US at the time.

Though Nepos largely focused on the Greco-Romans in his writings, some men accomplished so much he was willing to break this rule. Datames was a commander of armies, man of the kings of Persia and Egypt, and outwitter of plots. Follow his intricate and exciting life as he attempts to outpace the powerful men around him.

Timotheus was a great general but was known more for his statecraft. Like an honorable man taken from an ancient version of Game of Thrones, see how he maneuvers through the courts of ancient Greece. Finally, in his old age, politics catch up to him, but his son works to carry on his honor.

Phocion, known as "The Good", was one of the most beloved Greek politicans. He was elected military stratego numerous times. Listen to the noble life and death of this Greek hero.

In this epic history, find yourself on the eons-old battlefield between Athens and Sparta. Lysander will appear on the scene as a genius commander who changes the course of history. Will he conquer Athens? Or will he himself be conquered?

Cornelius Nepos greatly admired Timoleon, a man of wisdom and patience who knew evil when he saw it. He was ready and willing to do right by his homeland of Corinth, even when it meant betraying his own brother, the dictator. Timoleon stands through time as a model citizen and leader who, in his old age, became blind just like true justice.

In 1762, 22-year old James Boswell left Edinburg for London. This portion of his personal journals documents the nine months that followed. Filled with detail, description, and zest for life, Boswell's London Journal provides a frank and accurate picture of both the young man and London in the early 1760s. While many of Boswell's journals have been published, this one gained popularity for its racier entries as well as its descriptions of Boswell's first encounter with Samuel Johnson.

"Diary of a Madman"(1835) is a farcical short story by Nikolai Gogol. The story follows the life of a civil servant Poprishchin during the repressive era of Czar Nicholas I. Written in diary format, the narrative shows the descent of Poprishchin into insanity. As he loses it, he begins to “understand” canine conversations. Later, he loses a sense of time, and saw himself as the king of Spain. Poprishchin's alienation from society is strongly rooted to the way he perceives and treats people around him.

How could a man be reviled, even assassinated, during his own life, and yet have people's opinion of him change after his death? Explore the life of Dion, a wealthy Syracusian aristocrat of great learning whose life brutally ended on a feast-day. How could a man of acclaimed courteous temperment be accused of such horrible crimes?