The term "literary canon" refers to a classification of
literature. It is a term used widely to refer to a group of literary works that are
considered the most important of a particular time period or place. For example, there
can be a literary canon comprised of works from a particular country, or works written
within a specific set of years, or even a collection of works that were all written
during a certain time period and within a certain region. In this way, a literary canon
establishes a collection of similar or related literary works. Typically, works are
organized by “period” for example, such as the Neoclassical period from 1660 to 1785 in
England.
Scholars who specialize in certain periods publish
anthologies containing works that they deem important or essential to that period. The
publisher "Norton" has compiled several anthologies containing what they believe to be
the canon for a particular era and periodically updates them. One recent development in
literature is the addition of female authors to well-established canons. (There are
online lists as well.)
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