Charles B. Harris, 1940–2017

In early 1996, Charles B. Harris became co-publisher of the American Book Review, joining forces with a titan of postmodern literature: journal founder and publisher Ronald Sukenick. Charlie worked with Sukenick as co-publisher until Ron’s passing in 2004, then served as sole publisher until late 2006, when I joined him as co-publisher. We worked together closely on the transition, after which he stepped back and served as Publisher Emeritus. I was honored to take up the position and determined to build up the work of my predecessors. Over the years, I spoke frequently with Charlie and got to know him very well not only as a fellow editor, but as a gifted and committed scholar, teacher, and administrator.

From 1968 through 2004, he was a faculty member in the English department at Illinois State University, where he inspired generations of students with his passion for contemporary literature. From 1979 through 1994, he served as department chair, founding its Publishing Unit. From 1994 through 2004, he served as director of its highly-regarded Unit for Contemporary Literature. Evidence of his administrative vision is most manifest to the wider world in the hiring of David Foster Wallace, who created works in Normal that are generally regarded as among the most important of his generation.

Charlie Harris’s contributions to the institutionalization of contemporary literature in the university run deep. Publisher’s Weekly dubbed his Publishing Unit the “center for avant-garde publishing” in America. In higher education, he has few peers to match his success in nurturing and furthering contemporary literature in the university setting. To continue a small part of his legacy through the publication of ABR is an honor and privilege. The loss of his unique wisdom regarding the administration of the institutions of contemporary literature within the university cannot be replaced. Charlie was a true master, and a man both modest and generous with his wisdom. Academe has lost a giant, and contemporary literature one of its most gifted advocates.