Allgemeine Geschichte der Literatur: Ein Handbuch in zwei Bänden

Johannes Scherr’s Allgemeine Geschichte der Literatur was first published in the mid-19th century as an ambitious attempt to synthesize the vast breadth of world literary history into a cohesive narrative. Emerging from the intellectual climate of the German Bildungsbürgertum, Scherr aimed to provide a comprehensive, accessible reference for educated readers who sought a structured overview of literary evolution, reflecting the era's fascination with encyclopedic knowledge and historical progress.

The design of this two-volume handbuch is characterized by the scholarly aesthetic typical of 19th-century reference publishing, focusing on clarity, hierarchical organization, and substantive historical context. Scherr was known for his lively, often opinionated prose style, which distinguished his work from the more clinical academic textbooks of his time. The work was well-received by contemporaries as a foundational resource, maintaining its reputation for decades as a standard guide for those navigating the development of global literature.