Hugh Kenner Remembered

It is scarcely necessary to say how important and influential a critic Canadian born, Hugh Kenner, has been, particularly in the area of modern literature. His contribution is incalculably important. Hugh was a leading authority on such standard-bearers of literary modernism as James Joyce, Ezra Pound, Samuel Beckett, T.S. Eliot et al. to realise how crucial has been Kenner's critical achievement.

As we know, Kenner was the author of more than 25 books and contributed to 100s. Subject matter included not only literary criticism but also such areas as information technology, cartoons films, and modern a rchitecture. Hugh avoided the pedantic jargon of academia favouring insead his own witty, idiosyncratic style. In this latter category, we note his book on The Geodesic Dome of H Buckminster Fuller and a book on Jones, noted American cartoonist. Kenner was also, at various times, a resident contributor to various Computer and Arts Magazines. He even built his own computer at one stage!

Truly a renaissance man of our time!

The Gerard Manley Hopkins Society were lucky - and above all, honoured - to have had a scholar and visionary of Hugh Kenner's stature for mentor and support from the early days in 1987 when the Society was getting started. We treasure the memory!

Probably, the book by which Kenner will be best remembered is the majesterial The Pound Era, published in 1946 and introducing the work and achievement of Ezra Pound to a world-wide audience. Writing in 1971, Kenner described Ezra Pound's contribution to the birth of Modernism as, 'an x-ray movin picture of how our epoch was extricated from the fin de siècle.'

His interest in Irish writing was especially marked and included not only James Joyce and Samuel Beckett but also W. B. Yeats - and our own Artistic Director, Desmond Egan.

Kenner edited Egan's Selected Poems and also edited - for another American publisher - a book of critical essays about Egan.

It was Kenner who invented the new technical term fractel in relation to Egan's experimentation with multiple voices.

Hugh Kenner was well-known as a visitor, lecturer and contributor at the Hopkins International Summer School almost since its inception. The Committee and visitors greatly valued his scholarship - always lightly worn and presented with wit - and his support. We also enjoyed his lively company, his reminiscences and amazing range of information. We knew there was a giant in our midst.

We wish to put on record our great appreciation of all that Hugh Kenner has meant to us on so many levels. Nobody can replace his impact on the Summer School - or, his place in our hearts.

We send deepest condolences to Mary Anne Kenner - herself well-known and loved at our Summer School - and to Rob and Lisa.

As a gesture of our admiration and affection, the 17th Hopkins International Summer School will be dedicated to the memory of Hugh Kenner. The Committee also intends to arrange a special Remembrance Service in Monasterevin shortly, led by our President, Father Denis O'Sullivan.

In July 2004, during the Summer School, we will hold a Tree-Planting Ceremony in The Hopkins Garden in Monasterevin. Other absent friends remembered in this way include James McKenna, sculptor of The Hopkins Monument, so admired by Hugh Kenner.

May the tree increase and grow as Hugh Kenner's work has done.

Hugh Kenner on the Influence of the Victorians on the work of GM Hopkins

James McKenna, sculptor of The Hopkins Monument

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