Unknown Lithographic Courses by A.N. Veselovsky: Typologisation and Problem of Authorship

Abstract

The article examines a hitherto understudied group of texts associated with the name of A.N. Veselovsky (1838 –1906). The author of the article discusses Veselovsky's litographed courses, compiled in the period from 1879 to 1888, in the context of the hybrid genre of student recordings and in comparison with the works of famous philologist. The central part of the article provides an overview of all 16 lithographic editions of Veselovsky's courses, namely their main external and textual characteristics, summary, typologization. The author pays special attention to the problem of authorship of these publications, which are viewed by modern researchers as texts that do not reflect the scientist's own concepts. Despite the fact that Veselovsky himself expressed skepticism about the significance of the lithographic recordings of his courses, a detailed textological analysis and other indirect and direct facts allow us to conclude that the professor's participation in the creation of these publications and, therefore, his share of authorship, after all are quite significant. His litographed courses, especially lectures devoted to a review of the main European literatures (French, German, Italian and English), where Veselovsky elaborates more clear and organic generalizations, than in his published works, are an important source for the reconstruction of the scientist's legacy.

Keywords

• history of literary studies
• a.n. veselovsky
• historical poetics
• students’ records
• problem of authorship