Hurst & Blackett's Standard Library (1895)

"Hurst & Blackett's Standard Library (1895)" by Hurst & Blackett is a collection of popular modern works published during the late 19th century. The book serves as an anthology of novels, with a focus on various themes including humor, social issues, and domestic life, reflecting the literary tastes and cultural contexts of the Victorian era. The library is designed to make notable literature more accessible to readers, featuring both well-known titles and authors of the time. The compilation highlights several significant works, each contributing to the broader understanding of the society of that era. Notable titles include "John Halifax, Gentleman," which presents a rich portrait of a virtuous man's life, and works like "Sam Slick's Nature and Human Nature," which employs wit and humor to critique social norms. Other selections explore themes of love, morality, and social dynamics, offering deeply drawn characters and compelling narratives that resonate with issues still pertinent in contemporary discussions. In essence, this library encapsulates a diverse literary heritage, aiming to entertain and provoke thought among its readers. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Hurst and Blackett was a publisher founded in 1852 by Henry Blackett, the grandson of a London shipbuilder, and Daniel William Stow Hurst. Shortly after the formation of their partnership Hurst and Blackett took over the business of the long established publisher Henry Colburn, for whom Daniel Hurst had worked for some years, and their earliest publications displayed "Successors to Henry Colburn" on the title pages. This was subsequently replaced by the epithet "Publishers since 1812", probably in reference to the date when Henry Colburn had commenced publishing.