Mary Anne (alternatively Mary Ann or Marian) Evans (22 November 1819 - 22 December 1880), better known by her pen name George Eliot, was an English novelist, journalist and translator, and one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. She is the author of seven novels, including Adam Bede (1859), The Mill on the Floss (1860), Silas Marner (1861), Middlemarch (1871-72), and Daniel Deronda (1876), most of them set in provincial England and well known for their realism and psychological insight. She used a male pen name, she said, to ensure her works would be taken seriously. Female authors were published under their own names during Eliot's life, but she wanted to escape the stereotype of women only writing lighthearted romances. An additional factor in her use of a pen name may have been a desire to shield her private life from public scrutiny and to prevent scandals attending her relationship with the marriedGeorge Henry Lewes, with whom she lived for over 20 years. -wikipedia

Excerpt from O May I Join the Choir Invisible!May I join the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again In minds made better by their presence; live In pulses stirred to generosity, In deeds of daring rectitude, in scorn Of miserable aims that end with self In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars, And with their mild persistence urge men's minds To vaster issues.

A collection of poems by George Eliot, the pseudonym used by Mary Ann Evans. She was one of the most important writers of the Victorian era, renowned for her deep psychological insight and sophisticated character portraits. Her most famous work, Middlemarch, is a turning point in the history of the novel. Making masterful use of a counterpointed plot, Eliot presents the stories of a number of denizens of a small English town on the eve of the Reform Bill of 1832.

Contents O may I join the choir invisible! / George Eliot -- How they brought the good news from Ghent to Aix / Robert Browning -- Mother and poet / Elizabeth Barrett Browning -- Nature's lady / George Eliot -- To a skylark / Percy Bysshe Shelley.

"The Choir Invisible" is a novel written by James Lane Allen, an American author known for his works in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The novel, first published in 1897, is set in Kentucky and explores themes of love, duty, and social norms. The story follows the life of Bartholomew St. John, a young man born into a wealthy Kentucky family. Bartholomew is deeply committed to his family and community, and he is expected to fulfill certain social and familial obligations. However, he also harbors a passion for music and a desire for personal fulfillment. As Bartholomew navigates the societal expectations of his time, he grapples with the tension between duty and personal desire. His journey includes romantic entanglements, struggles with his own ambitions, and his search for meaning and purpose in life. The title, "The Choir Invisible," refers to a line from George Eliot's poem "O May I Join the Choir Invisible," which reflects the idea that those who live virtuously and make positive contributions to society become part of an invisible choir of noble souls. James Lane Allen's novel is known for its lyrical and poetic prose, as well as its exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the individual's quest for self-fulfillment within the constraints of society. It provides readers with a glimpse into the culture and values of the American South during the late 19th century. Overall, "The Choir Invisible" is a literary work that delves into the emotional and moral dilemmas faced by its characters and reflects the author's interest in themes related to love, spirituality, and the human condition.