Within the decade, twenty-six current or future members of the Editorial Board publish articles in SEL.
1970-1979
Carroll Camden retires; Edward O. Doughtie becomes Editor. Despite the founding of many other journals devoted to fields similar to those represented in SEL, in the Autumn 1973 issue Doughtie announces that “all manuscripts received between October 1, 1973, and June 1, 1974, will be returned unread.” The moratorium does not help much. By Autumn 1974 articles accepted for publication cannot appear for three to four years.
Paul Fussell begins his review of Recent Studies in the Restoration and Eighteenth Century: “‘Studies’ is the right word for the books of 1974, just as ‘research’ would be the wrong one … Many of these new books add to our awareness. Few add to our knowledge.”
Thomas P. Roche receives more than 150 books in Renaissance nondramatic literature: “The preparation and writing of this review has been the most dispiriting task I have ever had to perform.” Two and three years later, the number of titles in the field sent for review diminishes to fewer than 50.
Michael Lieb publishes the article “Holy Place: A Reading of Paradise Lost” in the Winter issue of Volume 17.
Edward O. Doughtie retires from first term as Editor; Robert L. Patten becomes Editor.
Kathleen Blake publishes her article “Sue Bridehead ‘The Woman of the Feminist Movement’” in the Autumn issue and David M. Bergeron publishes his piece “The Wax Figures in The Duchess of Malfi” in the Spring issue.
Photo: Robert L. Patten, SEL Studies in English Literature 1500–1900
Diana Hobby is appointed Associate Editor; SEL costs $12.00 for individuals and $15.00 for institutions. Average number of pages per volume during the decade: 753.
Photo: Diana Hobby and Edward O. Doughtie, SEL Studies in English Literature 1500–1900