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The Confessional Presbyterian Archive is a curated digital library dedicated to preserving and promoting the writings of 17th–20th century Presbyterian pastors, teachers, and leaders. Featuring thousands of searchable texts, biographies, and historical resources, the archive provides direct access to the primary-source materials of American Presbyterianism.

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Literary Contrasts

An anthology of paired literary selections with brief critical comparisons (Poe vs Longfellow, Rossetti vs Poe). It illustrates how contrast deepens interpretation and critical skill.
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Matthew Fontaine Maury

UVA Alumni Bulletin (Jan 1924) reports a 1923 solar eclipse expedition and a biographical address on Matthew F. Maury, highlighting his oceanographic and navigational innovations.
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Essays on Current Themes

Preface and selections edited by C. Alphonso Smith to broaden students' interests. Schopenhauer's 'Thinking for Oneself' urges independent thinking over passive reading.
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Archibald Henderson

Biography of Archibald Henderson, mathematician and literary critic. Celebrated for studies of Mark Twain, Shaw, and modern drama; a restless scholar tracing cultural movements.
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Edgar Allen Poe: How to Know Him

Critical biography surveying Edgar Allan Poe's life, works, and international reputation. Traces his career, major writings, and reception in Russia and Germany.
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O. Henry (William Sidney Porter)

Concise biography of O. Henry (William Sidney Porter), tracing his Greensboro upbringing, Texas years, prison term, New York career, stylistic gifts, vocabulary play, and growing reputation.
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New Words Self-Defined

Excerpt from C. Alphonso Smith's 1919 New Words Self-Defined — a WWI-era lexicon compiling and illustrating newly coined English words with dated citations.
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Keynote Studies in Keynote Books of the Bible

Introduces the 'Keynote Method'—finding a Bible book's central controlling thought. Applies literary-critical reading to eight key books to reveal their guiding theme.
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Ballads Surviving in the United States

Study of English and Scottish ballads surviving in the U.S.: regional distributions, variant forms and communal composition; urges swift collection by teachers and state societies.
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Short Stories Old and New

1916 anthology of classic short stories with a concise introduction on story structure (setting, plot, characters). Includes selections such as the biblical story of Esther.
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O. Henry Biography

Scholarly biography of William Sydney Porter (O. Henry), tracing his Greensboro childhood, Texas years, New York triumphs, and rise to prominence as a master of the American short story.
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A Great Movement in Which Everyone Can Help

Bureau of Education circular urging Americans to collect and preserve English and Scottish popular ballads in the U.S., listing Child’s 305 ballads and soliciting public cooperation.
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What Can Literature Do for Me?

Smith argues literature provides an outlet for self‑expression, clarifies and enlarges thought, restores experience, and cultivates language, character, and understanding.
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The American Short Story

Lecture tracing the development and technique of the American short story—unity, compression, and Poe's 'single effect'—discusses Irving, Poe, Hawthorne, and Bret Harte.
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Francis Orray Ticknor [1822–1874]

Biography of Francis Orray Ticknor (1822–1874), a Georgia physician-poet whose Civil War verse—notably “Little Giffen”—celebrates Southern life, soldierly heroism, loss, and prayers for peace.
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The Significance of History in a Democracy

Address arguing that preserving and honoring historical memory—exemplified by the Guilford monument—strengthens democracy, patriotism, and national unity.
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The Americanism of Poe

Lecture arguing Poe's 'Americanism' is rooted in his constructive, structural genius — the principle of unity/totality of effect — which shaped the modern short story and influenced world literature.
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How to Study Shakespeare

Practical 1907 guide to studying Shakespeare: essays on literature, reading methods, forming study circles, and focused study questions and notes for plays like Macbeth.
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Showing 1,701–1,720 of 22,006 items

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