The Literary World (Boston)

The Literary World (Boston) was a weekly periodical published in Boston, Massachusetts, dedicated to literary criticism, book reviews, and news of the publishing world. It ran from 1870 to 1904, providing a significant platform for discussion and analysis of contemporary literature during a period of significant literary development in the United States and abroad.

Founded by Samuel Burnham, The Literary World aimed to provide a comprehensive and objective assessment of new books, making it a valuable resource for readers, libraries, and booksellers. The journal covered a wide range of genres, including fiction, poetry, history, biography, travel writing, and scholarly works.

Throughout its run, The Literary World featured contributions from notable literary figures and critics. While many contributors were anonymous or used pseudonyms, the publication's reputation for quality made it an important voice in the shaping of literary taste.

The journal ceased publication in 1904, leaving behind a valuable archive of literary opinion and a record of the evolving literary landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its impact on the literary community is acknowledged by scholars researching American literature and publishing history.