J. O. Bailey: 12 Aug 1903 - 30 Oct 1979

J. O. EAILEY 12 Aug I903 ~ 30 Oct 1979 This issue of ELT is dedicated with love to James Osler Bailey. He left his mark on all who knew him and on our profession as a whole. No black border frames this dedication, for J. 0. was not a morbid man. He enjoyed life. He was a man of broad interests who devoted himself energetically to all of them. In the course of his travels and lectures in England , Japan, Turkey, and elsewhere, he was the ideal cultural ambassador , always representing American cultural life at its best and always immersing himself in the cultural life of his host country. He was largely responsible for the survival and development of the North Carolina Symphony Society and the enrichment of the North Carolina University library collections. Best known for his work on Thomas Hardy, he was also an early serious student of science fiction. His PILGRIMS THROUGH SPACE AND TIME (1947) has already taken its place in literary history 1 his THOMAS HARDY AND THE COSMIC MIND (1956) and THE POETRY OF THOMAS HARDYi A HANDBOOK AND COMMENTARY (1??0) have become essential reading for any serious student of Hsrdy. Above all, however, J. 0. will be warmly remembered as one who was devoted to people: students, young scholars, established scholars, and non-academics - he gave of his time and knowledge to all. He did not, like Tony Weiler, have the "power o* suction") he was a giver, a sharer. One wonders how many books and articles J. 0. did not write so that students and friends, even acquaintances, might write them, J. O.'s death leaves us and our profession much impoverished. We have all lost a friend ...