Bridging Tradition and Modernity: A Bibliometric Analysis of T.S. Eliot's Enduring Influence

Abstract

T.S. Eliot is a prominent philosophical figure in Modernist literature, and has greatly influenced the cultural and literary climate of the 20th century. His major works like The Waste Land, Four Quartets, and Murder in the Cathedral are an exploration of cultural decay, spiritual apathy, and the tension between tradition and modernity. This bibliometric study analyses 1,316 documents on Eliot, published between 1999 and 2023, to assess his enduring scholarly impact. Findings reveal a consistent rise in academic interest, with English-language publications and contributions from the United States and the United Kingdom dominating the field. Books and book chapters emerge as particularly impactful, highlighting the depth of engagement with Eliot’s works. His synthesis of Eastern and Western philosophies and his moral and spiritual insights remain highly relevant for addressing contemporary challenges. While the study highlights Eliot’s global influence, it also identifies gaps in non-English scholarship and earlier foundational research. Ultimately, Eliot’s vision of cultural and spiritual renewal continues to resonate, bridging divides and offering timeless solutions to modern societal fragmentation