About Classics Archive
Classics Archive began in 2005 as a quiet corner of the internet where anyone could read the great books for free. It was recommended by university departments, referenced by magazines, and bookmarked by readers who wanted a place that felt like a library, not a database. Then it went quiet for a few years.
Now we're back, with four very different guides: Eleanor Hartley, a retired English professor who can explain why a single sentence changed literary history; Dan O'Connor, a former construction foreman who reads with his boots on; Priya Sharma, a translator and former bookseller who reads in four languages; and Marcus Webb, a playwright who thinks Shakespeare is best understood standing up. Together, we believe the classics belong to everyone.
Meet the Team
Eleanor Hartley
Retired professor of English literature. Still reading, still wondering, still arguing with dead authors.
Eleanor taught British literature for thirty-one years. She brings the depth of a lifetime of reading to every analysis, and she still believes a single sentence can change how you see the world.
Dan O'Connor
Former construction foreman. I came to books late, so I know exactly how it feels to start.
Dan picked up Moby-Dick at 42 because his daughter asked why he never read books. He writes for everyone who thinks the classics aren't for them.
Priya Sharma
Translator, former bookseller, keeper of margins. Read the footnotes. They're the good part.
Priya ran an independent bookstore in Berkeley for twelve years. She reads in four languages and believes the margins of a book are sacred.
Marcus Webb
Playwright, director, recovering lecturer. Say it out loud. That's the only way it lives.
Marcus writes and directs plays in Chicago. He thinks Shakespeare is best understood standing up, and he'll tell you why.
Why Trust Us?
Our texts are sourced from public domain editions. We review and format each one for comfortable reading on any device. Learn how we score our recommendations.