| Dear Milton Society, As the academic year begins for many of us, I am writing today to let you know of two passages. We have lost two dear friends of the Milton Society. May their friendship of the Milton Society remain an inspiration for us. The first message comes to me from Oleg Bychkov, who writes about John Mulryan, who was a Lifetime Member of the Milton Society of America and served as the Society’s President in 2000-2001. “John Mulryan, a former colleague of mine at St. Bonaventure University, NY, and a former president of the Milton Society who also hosted one of your meetings here on campus, died this year. I also edit the journal Cithara that John edited for over 30 years, to continue his legacy. The journal Cithara solicits contributions on John Milton or related topics for a commemorative issue in memory of John Mulryan. Cithara is a peer-reviewed journal that has been in existence for over 60 years and is indexed and distributed electronically on several databases, as well as in hard copy to about 300 academic libraries in North America and some in Europe. Website: www.sbu.edu/cithara. Please contact Oleg Bychkov (current editor) at obychkov@sbu.edu.” The other message comes to me from our Immediate Past President Steve Fallon, who writes about Warren Chernaik. “Friends and colleagues, I write to share the sad news of the passing of Warren Chernaik. This is a grievous loss. Warren’s gracious, generous, and witty presence matched his brilliance as a scholar. So many of us enjoyed his company and learned from him so much about Milton and his world. He will be deeply missed.” Warren Chernaik, Lifetime Member of the Milton Society of America, Organising Committee Member of the International Milton Seminar, and Emeritus Professor of English, University of London, died last week. He was 92. And he had just completed his book on Milton and Marvell. Entire generations of Miltonists will remain indebted to his scholarship. Our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of John Mulryan and Warren Chernaik. Amrita Dhar, MSA President |