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  • The International Byron Societies 2009
  • Byron Society of America
  • Marsha Manns

In October 2009, the Byron Society of America announced that it had chosen Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, as the new home for its Byron Society Collection. The collection of almost 5000 items will be housed with the Drew library's special collections, where students, scholars and members of the public will have ready access.

Since its founding in 1995, the Byron Society Collection has received entire collections and other gifts from over one hundred individuals and institutions. Most have come from members of the Byron Society of America, many of whom are scholars and collectors, including the late Leslie A. Marchand, author of the monumental three-volume Byron: A Biography and editor of Byron's Letters and Journals, and Jerome McGann, editor of the Oxford University Press Complete Poetical Works.

Included in the collection are Professor Marchand's papers, correspondence, books and photographs; Rembrandt Peale's 1825 lithograph of Byron; autograph material, including letters from Mrs Byron, Thomas Moore and Lady Byron; the splendid collection of 1900 volumes, including many early and rare editions, together with 600 booklets and 60 material objects belonging to Michael Rees, for many years the much-loved secretary of the International Council of Byron Societies. The archives of the Byron Society of America will also be housed within the collection at Drew.

Drew University is known for its special collections and archives, including distinctive holdings on Willa Cather, Walt Whitman, John Wesley and the history of World Methodism. The Drew library places importance on collections of material culture and values access to its collections – considerations that were important to the Byron Society of America's decision to locate the collection at Drew.

Once the collection is catalogued, Byronists can look forward to a major exhibition and a gathering of the American Byron Society at the Drew University campus. We are excited about the good work that lies ahead!

Marsha Manns
Founder and Chair
  • Japanese Byron Society
  • Reiko Aiura

The Japanese Byron Society had its annual meeting at the Aichi Institute of Technology in Nagoya on 27 June 2009. Twenty-three people gathered and enjoyed four interesting talks by our members and also a little party afterwards. Yumi Yamaguchi, a postgraduate student, gave a talk entitled 'Two Replays in Manfred ', Mitsue Asai and Nina Fuji gave 'A Talk on Childe Harold's Pilgrimage ', Professor Masae Kawatsu spoke on 'Byron and "Blue" Sappho' and Professor Kasahara Yorimichi spoke on 'A Genealogy of a French Maiden Fallen in Love with the Belvedere Apollo'.

We also had a business meeting after the papers, in which Professor Itsuyo Higashinaka announced his retirement. This was accepted with gratitude to him for his work for the society. I have also retired from the office of Honorary Secretary of the Japanese Byron Society, though I remain a member of [End Page 194] the Society. We have now chosen Professor Takehiko Tabuki as our new President, Professor Hirofumi Nakamura as Vice-President and Professor Mitsuhiro Tahara as Honorary Secretary.

Finally, we have some very sad news to announce: our first president, Professor Bunsei Uesugi, passed away on 17 July 2009 in Hiroshima. [End Page 195]

Reiko Aiura
Honorary Secretary (outgoing)
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