Richard G. Stern, American novelist, short story writer (b. 1928)

Richard Gustave Stern (February 25, 1928 – January 24, 2013) was a distinguished American literary figure, renowned for his multifaceted career as a novelist, acclaimed short story writer, and influential educator. His prolific output and incisive observations cemented his place in 20th and early 21st-century American letters, even as he was famously dubbed "the best American author of whom you have never heard."

Early Life and Academic Foundations

Born in the vibrant cultural hub of New York City on February 25, 1928, Richard Stern's intellectual journey began with a strong academic showing. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina, graduating with exceptional honors in 1947, earning both Phi Beta Kappa distinction and magna cum laude recognition. Following a formative year gaining diverse experiences through work in Indiana, Florida, and New York City, Stern advanced his education at Harvard University, where he secured a Master of Arts degree in English Literature, further solidifying his literary foundation.

His commitment to academia and literary exploration soon took him abroad. In 1949, Stern was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, a highly competitive program designed to foster international cultural exchange and research. This enabled him to teach in Versailles, France, immersing him in European intellectual traditions. From 1950 to 1951, he continued his international academic pursuits as an assistant professor at Heidelberg University in Germany, enriching his global perspective. Returning to the United States, Stern joined the esteemed Iowa Writer's Workshop from 1952 to 1954, a seminal program known for nurturing some of America's most significant literary talents. During this period, he completed his doctoral studies, earning a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1954, underscoring his deep engagement with literary theory and practice. After a year teaching at Connecticut College in New London, Stern embarked on the longest and most impactful chapter of his academic career, joining the faculty of the University of Chicago in 1955. He dedicated nearly five decades to the institution, teaching until 2002 and retiring in 2004 as the distinguished Helen A Regenstein Professor of English and American Literature.

The "Chicago Review" Controversy: A Clash of Literary Generations

During his extensive tenure at the University of Chicago, Richard Stern found himself at the center of a notable literary controversy involving the "beat edition" of the Chicago Review, the university's student/faculty literary publication. The winter 1958 issue of the Review, edited by Irving Rosenthal, was slated to feature groundbreaking and, at the time, highly provocative excerpts from William S. Burroughs's seminal work, Naked Lunch, alongside new stories by Jack Kerouac. These works were emblematic of the burgeoning Beat Generation, a countercultural literary movement known for its experimental style, rejection of conventional values, and often explicit content, which frequently challenged societal norms and artistic sensibilities.

According to Rosenthal's account, Stern, along with fellow faculty member Joshua Taylor, allegedly sought to suppress this particular winter issue. Rosenthal characterized Stern as being "so quick to protect the administration," suggesting a perceived concern for institutional reputation over artistic freedom. This incident is well-documented in literary history, with further reference provided in Matt Theado's The Beats, A Literary Reference (pp. 103-105), under the chapter titled "The Chicago Review and a Case of Censorship." The controversy highlighted the tensions between academic institutions and the avant-garde literary movements of the era.

Richard Stern's Perspective on the Incident

Richard Stern offered his own detailed recollection of this "so-called suppression" in his essay "How I Think I Got to Think the Way I Think," which was originally published in The Republic of Letters and later reprinted in Still on Call, his "orderly miscellany" of writings. In his narrative, Stern presented a significantly different interpretation of events. He recounted his active and successful efforts not only to preserve the Chicago Review itself—at a time when the University President, Lawrence A. Kimpton, was considering withdrawing funding for the journal due to the contentious content—but also to ensure that subsequent issues did not omit the challenging pieces, including selections from Naked Lunch and other "beat" works that had already been accepted for publication. This account suggests Stern played a role in mediating the conflict and safeguarding the journal's artistic integrity within the university's framework.

The controversy ultimately led Rosenthal and Paul Carroll, co-editors of the Review, to establish a new literary magazine, Big Table. They notably used submissions that Stern and the other student editors of the Chicago Review claimed rightfully belonged to their original publication. Ironically, despite the contentious beginnings, Richard Stern was later invited to read at a fundraiser for Big Table and even had his contribution published in its second issue, demonstrating a complex and perhaps evolving relationship with the movement he was accused of suppressing. Furthermore, it's worth noting that the issue of the Chicago Review immediately preceding the "beat edition" had already featured an excerpt from Naked Lunch, alongside other works by Beat writers, indicating a prior engagement with this material.

Literary Works and Enduring Reputation

Richard Stern's literary career was marked by a steady stream of critically acclaimed works that showcased his unique voice and sharp intellect. His debut novel, Golk, was published in 1960, quickly followed by other notable novels such as Europe or Up and Down with Baggish and Schreiber (1961), In Any Case (1962), and the highly regarded Stitch (1965). He continued to produce impactful fiction throughout his career, including Other Men's Daughters (1973), Natural Shocks (1978), A Father's Words (1986), and Pacific Tremors (2001). Beyond his novels, Stern was also a master of the short story, publishing several collections throughout his career. His collected stories, titled Almonds to Zhoof, were released in 2004, marking his twenty-first published book and a significant milestone in his literary output.

Despite the consistent quality and depth of his work, Stern often operated just outside the mainstream literary spotlight, leading a reviewer in The New Republic to famously describe him as "the best American author of whom you have never heard." This sentiment became closely associated with Mr. Stern for over a quarter of a century, reflecting his paradoxically acclaimed yet understated reputation. He himself embraced this peculiar status with characteristic wit, once quipping, "I was a has-been before I'd been a been." Similarly, film critic Richard Schickel observed that Stern "was almost famous for not being famous," encapsulating his unique position in American literature. Stern's insightful observations extended beyond fiction; he also published several collections of essays, including What is What Was in 2002. These essay collections consistently demonstrated that his keen analytical prowess and acute views on current events and culture were not only equal to, but often provided the very bedrock for, the astute observations found within his fiction.

Accolades, Influences, and Legacy

Richard Stern's significant contributions to American literature were recognized with numerous prestigious awards and widespread praise from his peers. In 1985, he received the Medal of Merit for the Novel, a highly esteemed honor bestowed only every six years by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, underscoring his profound impact on the genre. Among his many other accolades was the Heartland Award for the best work of non-fiction, which he received for his compelling memoir, Sistermony, published in 1995. This award highlighted his versatility and ability to excel across different literary forms.

Stern earned the admiration and praise of many of the most celebrated writers and critics of his time, a testament to the depth and intelligence of his work. This esteemed circle included literary giants such as Anthony Burgess, Flannery O'Connor, Howard Nemerov, Thomas Berger, Hugh Kenner, Sven Birkerts, and Richard Ellmann. Beyond professional respect, Stern cultivated close friendships with fellow literary luminaries, including Tom Rogers, Nobel laureate Saul Bellow, poet Donald Justice, and Pulitzer Prize winner Philip Roth, as detailed in Stern's own essay "Glimpse, Encounter, Acquaintance, Friendship" in the Sewanee Review (Winter 2009). His literary acquaintances and friendships also extended to iconic figures like Samuel Beckett, Ezra Pound, Robert Lowell, Lillian Hellman, and Jorge Luis Borges, indicating the breadth of his connections within the global literary community. Furthermore, Stern's profound impact as an educator is evident in the success of his students at the University of Chicago, many of whom went on to become distinguished writers themselves, including novelists like Douglas Unger, Robert Coover, Austin Wright, Campbell McGrath, and Peter LaSalle, as well as poet Alane Rollings. His influence also reached the field of journalism, with prominent figures such as Seymour Hersh, David Brooks, and Mike Taibbi having been among his students.

Even into his eighties, Stern maintained an active and vibrant literary life, continuing to write and engage with the world of letters. His extensive body of work remains accessible to new generations of readers, with his books proudly kept in print by Northwestern University Press and the University of Chicago Press. From 2006 onwards, he embraced new forms of engagement, maintaining a thought-provoking blog with The New Republic, further showcasing his enduring relevance and intellectual curiosity. The critical study of Richard Stern's work continues, with significant academic contributions such as David Garrett Izzo's The Writings of Richard Stern: The Education of an Intellectual Everyman (McFarland Publishing), published in 2001, and James Schiffer's comprehensive study, Richard Stern (Twayne/Macmillan), released in 1993, both offering valuable insights into his literary genius and lasting legacy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Richard Stern

Who was Richard Gustave Stern?

Richard Gustave Stern (1928–2013) was a highly respected American novelist, short story writer, and educator, known for his witty prose, keen observations, and a career that earned him significant critical acclaim despite often being outside mainstream literary fame.

Where did Richard Stern teach?

Richard Stern had a distinguished academic career, teaching at various institutions including as a Fulbright Scholar in Versailles, France, Heidelberg University, Connecticut College, and most notably, the University of Chicago from 1955 to 2002, where he retired as the Helen A Regenstein Professor of English and American Literature.

What was the "Chicago Review" controversy involving Richard Stern?

The "Chicago Review" controversy in 1958 involved the planned publication of a "beat edition" featuring excerpts from William S. Burroughs's Naked Lunch and works by Jack Kerouac. While editor Irving Rosenthal alleged that Stern and another faculty member sought to suppress the issue, Stern's own account states he actively worked to save the journal from defunding and to ensure the contentious content was not dropped from future issues, highlighting a complex mediation between academic authority and artistic freedom.

What are some of Richard Stern's notable works?

Among his celebrated novels are Golk (1960), Stitch (1965), Other Men's Daughters (1973), and Natural Shocks (1978). His comprehensive collection of short stories, Almonds to Zhoof, was published in 2004. He also published essay collections like What is What Was (2002) and a memoir, Sistermony (1995).

What awards did Richard Stern receive?

Richard Stern received the Medal of Merit for the Novel from the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1985, an award given only every six years. He also received the Heartland Award for his memoir, Sistermony, and was widely praised by numerous influential writers and critics.