The only scholarly journal devoted solely to the study of the literary culture of the fledgling United States, "Literature in the Early American Republic" ("LEAR") is a peer-reviewed scholarly annual that promotes discussion of all facets of the literature that arose during the period roughly spanning from the adoption of the Constitution in 1789 to the death of James Fenimore Cooper in 1851.With the growing scholarly interest in America's early national literatures, "LEAR" aspires to become a forum for the examination of a host of issues and figures related to the development of the literary culture of the young Republic. Studies devoted to works by minority figures and other historically underappreciated writers, as well as articles dealing with the works and influence of James Fenimore Cooper, are central to its mission. Rooted in the published work of the period - including political texts, natural history, biography, autobiography, drama, poetry, fiction, travel writing, and other cultural documents of the age - "LEAR" will also address (or establish critical editions of) unpublished archival manuscripts of cultural or literary relevance.
With articles written in a scholarly but accessible style, "LEAR" will appeal to advanced undergraduates, graduate students, scholars, and anyone interested in the literature that emerged from America's early national era.