Introduction: Of Cooperation, Inspiration and Scholarly Production

This volume commemorates the 2005-2011 workshop series "Cultural Production in the Nineteenth-Century," organized by Charles J. Stivale and Gayle Zachmann at the University of Florida Paris Research Center. All essays are dedicated to the work, memory, and spirit of our esteemed colleague Lawrence R. Schehr.

Larry's legacy includes having generously shared the pleasure and respect for what, in his words, "sharpens our thinking about the way societies and cultures interact" (YFS 99, 2001). The thirteen essays of this special issue, scholarly production that defines the spirit and activity of our cherished friend, together form an active tribute to Larry's commitment to our profession and to our thinking. As editors of this issue, we wish to explain the context of our homage.

In 2004, the editors discussed different models and venues for a collaborative research project that would regularly bring an international group of scholars into close and ongoing dialogue. The result was not a conference, but a space for scholars to present their ideas at any stage of development, as works in progress, on the broad theme of nineteenth century cultural production. This atelier, or workshop, became a time for critical conversation and exchange between American and European scholars on all aspects of cultural production and the "long nineteenth century." Initiated in 2005, the annual workshops were organized so that each twenty-five minute presentation received that amount of time for post-delivery discussion. Participants could feel free to present on any topic they wished within a purposely wide yearly thematic framework. Yearly themes, from the present to the past, were: "Humors," "Science in/of the Work," "Social and Poetic Economies," "The Daily à la lettre," "Intersections, Collaborations, Confidences," "Voices and Visions of the Contemporary," and "Constructions of Desire."

Soon known as "the atelier," these meetings became part of our yearly schedules. We met to share our ideas and encourage investigation morning to evening, and participation in the atelier was not limited to those presenting papers. All participants engaged in debate, responded, moderated and, over time, created new material on the nineteenth century topics, and new scholarly relationships. Along with the essays, articles, and books that developed, a spirit of collegiality, critical discussion and feedback progressively accompanied the atelier. Some followed each other's activities more closely, shared resources, read, and provided feedback, not only on research and book projects, but also on professional situations, conferences, and guest lectures.

Participants in the atelier included: Ann Marie Baron, Dorian Bell, Eric Bordas, Xavier Bourdenet, William Calin, Michelle Cheyne, Vincent Duclert, Elizabeth Emery, Lucienne Frappier-Mazur, Françoise Gaillard, Jasmine Getz, Rae Beth Gordon, Andrea Goulet, Nigel Harkness, Melanie Hawthorne, Sharon Johnson, Elisabeth Ladenson, Bettina Lerner, Sidney Levy, Françoise Lucbert, Brigitte Mahuzier, Anne McCall, Cheryl Morgan, Nicole Mozet, Catherine Nesci, Marshall Olds, Michel Pierssens, Virginie Pouzet-Duzer, Martine Reid, Jaymes Ann Rohrer, Jean-Marie Roulin, Larry Schehr, Gisele Séginger, Richard Shryock, Sonya Stephens, Charles Stivale, Marie-Eve Thérenty, Anne-Marie Thiesse, Maureen Turim, Gayle Zachmann, Damien Zanone.

As we conceived of this issue as an homage to a dear friend and departed colleague, we express our debt of gratitude to Larry Schehr for his participation in the ateliers and his support of this initiative. He was unfailingly generous, and remains ever present in spirit. The breadth of his interests and critical acumen made him a natural ally and resource in the different research directions and approaches that the atelier participants have pursued.

One indicator of the importance that the atelier had for us and for Larry is located in the work that these meetings have helped him, and us, accomplish. Two of Larry's final research projects—Subversions of Verisimilitude (2009) and French Post-Modern Masculinity: From Neuromatrices to Seropositivity (2010)—informed his presentations at the atelier and, more importantly, the ongoing discussions that he developed throughout the past decade at the many conferences in which he spoke. Since many atelier participants also met Larry at other events, it was quite natural for the atelier topics and Larry's developing research to be part of a continuing dialogue. We can say quite certainly, from our own...