On Vaccination Against Smallpox is Edward Jenner's publication of his research into creating the smallpox vaccine. When in 1788 a smallpox outbreak hit Gloucestershire, Jenner noticed that people who worked with cattle and had caught the mild disease cowpox, which was not fatal, then never came down with smallpox. He found ways to test his observation, and in 1796 his experiments showed that giving a small dose of cowpox to a person gave that person immunity to smallpox. Despite much initial...

Thomas Jefferson outlines the despot-like behavior of the King of Great Britain and declares that the United States of America will no longer recognize British rule. Part of FCIT's Historic American Documents Collection from Lit2Go.

The history of the United States can be traced through the significant documents that have guided and inspired generations of Americans. This document is the ten original amendments of the United States Constitution, authored by James Madison, passed by Congress on September 25, 1789 and ratified on December 15, 1791.

The history of the United States can be traced through the significant documents that have guided and inspired generations of Americans. The Emancipation Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln is one of many documents in Lit2Go's Historic American Documents collection. The Emancipation Proclamation consists of two executive orders issued by United States President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. The first one, issued September 22, 1862, declared the freedom of all slaves in any state...

Silas Marner, published in 1861, is a dramatic novel following the life of Silas Marner and his path from embittered outsider to proud father and respected citizen. In chapter one, Silas Marner, a respected resident of lantern Yard, is wrongfully accused of theft.

The Prince is a simple and straight forward political guidebook for the ruling of autocratic regimes based on the first-hand experiences of Niccolo Machiavelli. The Prince was originally published in 1513 and represented an important departure from previous thought. It is seen as part of a larger transition from medieval scholasticism to Renaissance humanism. Chapter one is a description of the different kinds of states.

Northanger Abbey follows Catherine Morland and family friends Mr. and Mrs. Allen as they visit Bath, England. Seventeen year-old Catherine spends her time visiting newly made friends, like Isabella Thorpe, and going to balls. Catherine finds herself pursued by Isabella’s brother John Thorpe and by Henry Tilney. She also becomes friends with Eleanor Tilney, Henry’s younger sister. Mr. Henry Tilney captivates her with his view on novels and knowledge of history and the world. The Tilneys invite...

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is a novel by Victor Hugo published in 1831. The title refers to the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, around which the story is centered. In chapter one we find that the novel begins in Paris during the Festival of Fools. At the Palace of Justice, Pierre Gringoire prepares to present his play to the people.

Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions is a classic 19th century novella that satirizes the social hierarchy of Victorian society using mathematical figures and ideas. In chapter one, the author explains to the reader the nature of Flatland.

Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. It was first published anonymously on January 10, 1776, during the American Revolution. Paine wrote it with editorial feedback from Benjamin Rush, who came up with the title. The document denounced British rule and, through its immense popularity, contributed to fomenting the American Revolution. In part one, the author discusses the origin and role of government.