Editor’s Note

This issue marks the passing of Stephen Brennan, who was co-editor of Studies in American Naturalism since 2006 and of its previous incarnation, Dreiser Studies, since 1999. Steve died unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack in his sleep on May 30, 2016, at age 70. From 1988 to until his retirement in 2012, Steve was Professor of English at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, and before that, at Texas A&M (for four years) and Drexel University in Philadelphia (for three years). The author of Theodore Dreiser: A Documentary Volume (Gale, 2012) and Irving Babbitt (Twayne, 1987), as well as many articles on Dreiser, naturalism, and other topics, he kept up an active pace in his scholarship even as he devoted more time to his passion for golf.

Contributors to this journal know well Steve’s keen sense of style and impeccable judgment, and his editorial acumen was responsible for helping many scholars at early stages of their careers. Steve’s insightful editorial eye never failed to see the promise in an essay that wasn’t quite ready for publication: he was unfailingly willing to nurture that promise to fulfillment, often though several drafts. He took great pride in his mentorship, while also acknowledging that his high standards and detailed, lengthy comments occasionally overwhelmed; but contributors who received the benefit of Steve’s editing always produced essays whose potential they may not have initially realized. This journal owes much to Steve’s brilliant perspicuity and fine critical judgment. We will miss him.

With this issue, Carol Loranger, who has served as the journal’s book review editor since 2003, steps down to devote more attention to her scholarship. We are grateful for Carol’s diligent service, shepherding some 106 books through the review process.

With the next issue, Anita Duneer, of Rhode Island College, will become book review editor.