About — James Joyce Society

Please note: page under development.

History

The James Joyce Society was officially formed in February, 1947 at the Gotham Book Mart, 41 West 47th Street in midtown Manhattan. ("New York" has never been part of its name, as it was the first organization devoted to Joyce.) The JJS story parallels much of the history of Joyce reception and circultaion of his works in that the group owes its existence to a woman, in this case Frances Steloff, owner and proprietor of the Gotham–"the Sylvia Beach of New York," as the late Zack Bowen called her. She proposed the study group that would eventually become the Joyce Society; she had conceived of this as early as 1939 (which we know thanks to Anaïs Nin and Glenn Johnston).

Sources: W.G. Rogers, Wise Men Fish Here, and Bowen’s "The New York James Joyce Society" (Joyce Studies Annual Volume 12, Summer 2001.)

See also, Jonathan Goldman, "The James Joyce Society at 75 Years" James Joyce Literary Supplement: Vol. 36: Iss. 1, Art. 15.

The original Gotham Book Mart sign. University of Pennsylvania, Gotham Book Mart Collection.

Cover of LP record of James Joyce Society meeting October 23, 1951, including talks by Joseph Campbell and Padraic Colum. Published by NY, Folkways Records, 1951. — Cover of LP record of James Joyce Society meeting October 23, 1951, including talks by Joseph Campbell and Padraic Colum. Published by Folkways Records, 1951.

University of Pennsylvania, Gotham Book Mart Collection.

EDI Statement

The James Joyce Society prioritizes equity, access, and inclusion. We center voices and perspectives that have historically been under-valued and under-resourced in Joyce studies and the scholarly world in general, due to systemic bias rooted in class, gender, language, nationality, disability, race, academic prestige, and sexual orientation. Through our programming choices and modes of gathering and communication, we intend to create and maintain a welcoming and inclusive organization that promotes equity.

Anti-Harassment Policy

The James Joyce Society is committed to a safe environment. We recognize that academic societies and the Joyce scholarly world have been sites of gender- and race-based harassment, sexual assault/misconduct, stalking, and other abuses of power. Taking note of the "Open Letter to the Joyce Community," from 18 November, 2018, we work to "take meaningful action to reduce the incidents of sexual harassment, inappropriate behaviour, abuse, and even assault at ... events affiliated with the community." We are intentional in our choices of presenters, and have created an ombudsperson position to provide victims of harassment at our events an avenue of reporting that bypasses the JJS officers. Anyone who wishes to make a complaint to the omsbudperson is guaranteed full confidentiality.

On September 15, 2023, the James Joyce Society held a virtual roundtable discussion, “Making Joyce Studies Safe for All,” to address ongoing problems of sexual harassment plaguing the Joyce community. A record of the meeting can be found here.

Land Acknowledgment

The James Joyce Society was founded on territory that was home to the Munsee Lenape peoples, and under their stewardship, before European colonization. We acknowledge the history of occupation and genocide of Indigenous nations, and we honor the many diverse indigenous people connected to this land where New York City sits now.