author
Albert Mordell
1885–1965
A sharp, independent literary critic from Philadelphia, he challenged accepted ideas about the canon and brought psychoanalytic thinking into literary discussion. His books range from criticism and essays to editorial work, showing a restless curiosity about how literature changes with its readers.
2 Audiobooks
The Erotic Motive in Literature
by Albert Mordell
The Literature of Ecstasy
by Albert Mordell
About the author
Born in Philadelphia on August 13, 1885, Albert Mordell became known as a literary critic, essayist, and editor. A University of Pennsylvania archival guide notes that he graduated from Central High School in 1903, but a lack of money kept him from attending college; instead, he educated himself while building a long writing career.
Mordell wrote widely on literature and literary reputation. His books include The Shifting of Literary Values and The Erotic Motive in Literature, and library records also show him as the editor of collections such as Literary Reviews and Essays on American, English, and French Literature by Henry James. His work often questioned settled judgments and explored how social change and inner life shape the way books are written and read.
Archival records at the University of Pennsylvania preserve his papers, including writings, correspondence, and research materials, suggesting both a prolific output and a deep engagement with the literary culture of his time. He died on February 15, 1965, in Florida.