From the Papers of One Still Living: Kierkegaard and British Literature, 1932-1995

Asher Gelzer-Govatos
2020
If this were my last word, I know it is the truth in me: Everyone who really wills something will always find an admirer in me, or if necessary, support; --but these fools, the masses, the whole conglomeration of men and women who only want to waste their lives and other people's lives: they will find their match in me -1846 entry in Kierkegaard's journal 1 In 1932 T.S. Eliot faced a difficult decision. In his professional role as editor for Faber and Faber, he received a proposal from T.F.
more » ... s, of the Catholic publishing house Sheed and Ward, that Faber and Faber consider releasing a series of English translations of the work of the nineteenth century Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. Eliot expressed hesitation in his initial response to Burns, noting that "Some of us talked of the matter some time ago and came to the conclusion that it was not likely to be a success." 2 Doing his due diligence, however, Eliot wrote to Herbert Read, his main assistant in publishing his little magazine the Criterion, seeking Read's advice on the matter, since Read was one of the first Englishmen to read Kierkegaard's works in their German translations. Read replied enthusiastically, comparing Kierkegaard to Pascal in terms of importance, and strongly encouraged Eliot to push for publication. 3 This prompted Eliot to respond positively to Burns, promising that "We are... quite seriously, going into the question of Kierkegaard." 4 Despite this promise, the proposal fizzled, and Faber and
doi:10.7936/p3qw-tp43 fatcat:j7ca7iqswzfexo22smsrh4gnlq