House of Humane Letters is an educational community devoted to recovering the lost intellectual tradition of the humanities and cultivating a rich, meaningful literary life. Rooted in the classical understanding of humane letters, the House offers courses, conferences, podcasts, and publications that focus on the art and skill of reading well and engaging deeply with the great works of Western civilization.
At the heart of House of Humane Letters are year-long online classes in the humane letters for middle school students through adults. These courses guide students in thoughtful reading, careful interpretation, and sustained conversation with classic texts—forming not only strong readers, but well-rounded, intellectually grounded human beings. Instruction emphasizes tradition, wisdom, and the formative power of great books.
In addition to year-long classes, House of Humane Letters offers webinars, mini-classes, and free read-alongs of classic literature. These shorter offerings provide accessible entry points into the humanities while allowing learners to explore specific authors, themes, and ideas. Whether studying Homer, Shakespeare, Austen, or modern classics, participants are invited into a living tradition of ideas.
Each year, House of Humane Letters hosts an annual online Literary Life Conference, bringing together scholars, teachers, and readers from around the world. The 2026 conference continues this tradition with a focus on reading “like a human,” exploring how literature forms the mind, imagination, and soul.
The Literary Life Podcast—one of iTunes’ most popular book podcasts—extends this mission through weekly conversations on reading, interpretation, and the enduring relevance of great stories. Far from casual book chats, these discussions invite listeners to rediscover how stories shape culture and help us live wisely.
Named for the Renaissance tradition of literae humaniores, House of Humane Letters believes education should be humane—forming the whole person. It is a place for readers seeking depth, tradition, and a lifelong love of literature grounded in what is true, good, and beautiful.