History of Anthology in Timeline

An anthology in book publishing is a curated collection of literary works, chosen by a compiler. It can encompass a variety of genres and formats, including plays, poems, short stories, songs, and excerpts from fiction or non-fiction works. Anthologies typically feature contributions from multiple authors, showcasing a diverse range of perspectives and styles within a chosen theme or literary movement.

1900: Publication of the First Edition of the Oxford Book of English Verse

The first edition of Arthur Quiller Couch's Oxford Book of English Verse was published in 1900.

1928: Publication of Pamphlet Against Anthologies

Robert Graves and Laura Riding published their Pamphlet Against Anthologies in 1928, arguing that anthologies were based on commercial rather than artistic interests.

1936: Publication of Two Important Anthologies

Two very different anthologies focusing on 'modern verse' were published in 1936: the Faber & Faber anthology by Michael Roberts and the William Butler Yeats Oxford Book of Modern Verse.

2000: Publication of The Assassin's Cloak: An Anthology of the World's Greatest Diarists

The Assassin's Cloak: An Anthology of the World's Greatest Diarists, which anthologises four centuries of diary entries into 365 'days', was published in 2000.