Originally published in 1950, this book contains the text of the seventh annual lecture of the National Book League, delivered the previous year by economic historian and social critic R. H. Tawney. Tawney concerns himself with no less a topic than the significance of great literature for the student of social history, and connects the social, historical and literary aspects of European civilization. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in social history and the role of literature in society.