Call for Papers
SHARP panel at MLA 2007, Chicago

Biography and the History of the Book

Please submit proposals (250 words) for papers that address how the methods of history of the book have affected and revised our understanding of authors' lives and the art of literary biography. How does an understanding of the form and making of books challenge our understanding of authorship, creativity, and the construction of literary lives? How do conditions of copyright and intellectual property impact upon the practice of biography and the understanding of authors’ lives? What is the significance of the historical development of biography, in its material forms, to the construction of literary history and the practice of literary criticism? Proposals should be sent by 2 March 2007 to Michael Winship at books@uts.cc.utexas.edu

Those submitting proposals should confirm that they are currently members in good standing of both MLA and SHARP.