Leslie Alexis Marchand (February 13, 1900 – July 11, 1999) was an American scholar of English literature, who is chiefly notable for his contribution to the study of the Romantic poet Lord Byron, in particular his twelve-volume edition of Byron's Letters and Journals, published between 1973 and 1982, with a supplementary volume in 1994, and Byron: a Biography (Alfred A. Knopf, 1957). He was also a prolific contributor to literary periodicals.
Born in Washington in 1900, Leslie A. Marchand's "parents were French-speaking immigrants to the United States, and Leslie always liked to hear the French echo by stressing the second syllable of his name."[1]
Academic careeredit
Marchand studied journalism at the University of Washington, graduating with a B.A. in 1922 and an M.A. in 1923.[2] After graduation, he took up a teaching position at Farthest North College in Alaska (Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines), where he lectured on English and French literature.
In 1929, Marchand began studies towards a PhD at Columbia University. His dissertation, The Athenaeum: a mirror of Victorian culture, a study of the British nineteenth century periodical, The Athenaeum, was published in 1941.[2][3]
He joined the faculty at Rutgers University in 1937 and taught there until his retirement in the mid-1960s.[2]
Contribution to Byron studiesedit
Recognizing that manuscripts related to Lord Byron were likely to be scattered across Europe, Marchand set out to gather whatever he could find and to make previously unpublished materials available to the scholarly community. Serendipity played a role in his success in this endeavor:
Perhaps the most dramatic find of all was at a bookshop, where the owner mentioned that he had some things from Ockham Park, home of Byron's grandson, the Earl of Lovelace. These turned out to be routine books, but then the fellow mentioned he had a few notebooks. "They have writing in them," said the bookseller. "I don't know what they are, but if you want them, you can have them." They were by Byron's wife.[4]
References/notes and referencesedit
^St Clair, William (July 18, 1999). "Obituary: Leslie A. Marchand". The Independent. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
^ abc"Leslie Alexis Marchand, 99, Leading Biographer of Byron". New York Times. July 16, 1999. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
^Marchand, Leslie Alexis (1941). The Athenaeum : a mirror of Victorian culture. Internet Archive. Chapel Hill : University of North Carolina Press.
^Hawtree, Christopher (July 19, 1999). "Leslie Marchand: A quiet American in search of Byron". The Independent. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
Further readingedit
Independent obituary
The Guardian obituary
Review; Byron Society
New York Times obituary
April 12, 2024
leslie, marchand, leslie, alexis, marchand, february, 1900, july, 1999, american, scholar, english, literature, chiefly, notable, contribution, study, romantic, poet, lord, byron, particular, twelve, volume, edition, byron, letters, journals, published, betwee. Leslie Alexis Marchand February 13 1900 July 11 1999 was an American scholar of English literature who is chiefly notable for his contribution to the study of the Romantic poet Lord Byron in particular his twelve volume edition of Byron s Letters and Journals published between 1973 and 1982 with a supplementary volume in 1994 and Byron a Biography Alfred A Knopf 1957 He was also a prolific contributor to literary periodicals Leslie A MarchandBorn 1900 02 13 February 13 1900Bridgeport WashingtonDiedJuly 11 1999 1999 07 11 aged 99 Englewood FloridaOccupationAcademicSpouseMarion Hendrix Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Early life 1 2 Academic career 1 3 Contribution to Byron studies 2 References notes and references 3 Further readingBiography editEarly life edit Born in Washington in 1900 Leslie A Marchand s parents were French speaking immigrants to the United States and Leslie always liked to hear the French echo by stressing the second syllable of his name 1 Academic career edit Marchand studied journalism at the University of Washington graduating with a B A in 1922 and an M A in 1923 2 After graduation he took up a teaching position at Farthest North College in Alaska Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines where he lectured on English and French literature In 1929 Marchand began studies towards a PhD at Columbia University His dissertation The Athenaeum a mirror of Victorian culture a study of the British nineteenth century periodical The Athenaeum was published in 1941 2 3 He joined the faculty at Rutgers University in 1937 and taught there until his retirement in the mid 1960s 2 Contribution to Byron studies edit Recognizing that manuscripts related to Lord Byron were likely to be scattered across Europe Marchand set out to gather whatever he could find and to make previously unpublished materials available to the scholarly community Serendipity played a role in his success in this endeavor Perhaps the most dramatic find of all was at a bookshop where the owner mentioned that he had some things from Ockham Park home of Byron s grandson the Earl of Lovelace These turned out to be routine books but then the fellow mentioned he had a few notebooks They have writing in them said the bookseller I don t know what they are but if you want them you can have them They were by Byron s wife 4 References notes and references edit St Clair William July 18 1999 Obituary Leslie A Marchand The Independent Retrieved November 2 2017 a b c Leslie Alexis Marchand 99 Leading Biographer of Byron New York Times July 16 1999 Retrieved November 2 2017 Marchand Leslie Alexis 1941 The Athenaeum a mirror of Victorian culture Internet Archive Chapel Hill University of North Carolina Press Hawtree Christopher July 19 1999 Leslie Marchand A quiet American in search of Byron The Independent Retrieved November 2 2017 Further reading editIndependent obituary The Guardian obituary Review Byron Society New York Times obituary Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Leslie A Marchand amp oldid 1199338000, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
