John Crowe Ransom (1888–1974)

At Vanderbilt, Ransom was a founding member of the Fugitives, a Southern literary group of 16 writers that functioned primarily as a kind of poetry workshop and included Donald Davidson, Allen Tate, and Robert Penn Warren. Under their influence, Ransom, whose first interest had been philosophy (specifically John Dewey and American pragmatism) began writing poetry. Ransom was a leading figure of the school of literary criticism known as the New Criticism, which gained its name from his 1941 volume of essays The New Criticism. The New Critical theory, which dominated American literary thought throughout the middle 20th century, emphasized close reading, and criticism based on the texts themselves rather than on non-textual bias or non-textual history.
Both Ransom's essays and poetry are worthwhile to read. As a student in the continuing education programs of the University of Chicago I especially enjoyed the essay, "Humanism at Chicago". It is a thoughtful review of some of the thought of the humanists who made Chicago great.… (mais)

Certainly literary, and high quality writing, but not a literary journal I can read cover to cover (which is what I normally do with journals) without wandering. I can't help feeling that the work always has very high ambitions (and perhaps achievements and themes also in many cases)--but is usually lacking in passion. Very rarely do I start reading anything in this one that I very simply can't put down. I feel like it's worthwhile....but it's not a journal I turn to for escape or simple pleasure. I will say that the essays here are often fascinating and out of the ordinarly. Those, I recommend without reserve.… (mais)