Dear Sidneians and Spenserians,
The Sidney-L list, dedicated to the study of Sir Philip Sidney and things
Sidneian, has been without a manager since the death of Jerry Rubio. It has
received very few mailings in this period, and clearly cannot go on in its
present form. Because of the changes taking place in UK Higher Education
mailing list facilities, it has not been possible for us to replace it with
a new list until now. Also, given that many of its members were/are also on
the Spenser list, it has seemed simplest to let it remain inactive over the
past year.
Because Spenser and Sidney studies are so closely related, many of those on
one list have tended to be on the other. It might be fruitful, in reopening
Sidney discussion, to amalgamate the two lists rather than develop another
separate resource. We are therefore writing to Sidney and Spenser
list-members to request your opinions on how things should go from here. We
suggest the following options:
* Found a new list at JISCmail dedicated to Sidney studies (leaving the
Spenser List intact)
* Amalgamate the two lists under a new name and address (e.g.
[log in to unmask])
* Close the Sidney list and invite Sidneians to make more of the Spenser list
We would also be interested in having your opinions regarding the need for
a new, more general list available to any scholar working in English
Renaissance literary studies (roughly Skelton to Milton). This is a need we
feel only very vaguely, if at all, and possible parameters are wide
open--all reactions and suggestions will be welcome.
It might be best if replies were sent to Andrew privately
([log in to unmask]), and not to everyone; we will summarize and tabulate
these responses and report back on them to the lists. Although opinion is
unlikely to be unanimous, it will be very helpful to have a sense of the
general preferences, and we therefore urge you to take a few seconds to
offer even a short response.
Thanks,
Andrew Zurcher, Spenser List Manager
Gavin Alexander, for the Sidney Society
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