Overview
Partisan Review was an influential American literary and political quarterly magazine that operated from 1934 to 2003. Founded by William Phillips and Philip Rahv, it originated as a Marxist–Trotskyist publication but gradually shifted toward a liberal-conservative stance, becoming a central forum for the “New York Intellectuals.”
Founding and Early Years (1934–1940)
- Founders: William Phillips (editor) and Philip Rahv (co‑editor).
- First Issue: Summer 1934, published by the John Reed Club of the Communist Party USA.
- Initial Orientation: Aligned with anti‑Stalinist leftist politics, supporting Trotskyist positions and providing a platform for literary modernism.
- Key Early Contributors: James Joyce, T. S. Eliot, Ernest Hemingway, and early essays by Dwight Macdonald.
Mid‑Century Shift (1940–1960)
- In the early 1940s, Partisan Review distanced itself from the Communist movement, embracing a more independent, anti‑totalitarian viewpoint.
- The magazine’s editorial line became increasingly critical of both Soviet communism and American isolationism, advocating a liberal internationalism.
- Prominent contributors during this period included Hannah Arendt, Lionel Trilling, Clement Greenberg, and Susan Sontag.
Cultural and Intellectual Influence
- Served as a primary outlet for the “New York Intellectuals,” a group of writers, critics, and scholars noted for rigorous literary criticism and political commentary.
- Published seminal essays on literary theory, modern art, philosophy, and foreign affairs, shaping mid‑20th‑century American intellectual discourse.
- Hosted early works by notable authors such as Norman Mailer, William Gaddis, and Joyce Carol Oates.
Later Years and Decline (1960–2003)
- By the 1960s, circulation had declined, and the magazine faced financial difficulties.
- In 1972, William Phillips retired; the editorial board underwent several changes.
- The final print issue appeared in 2003; afterward, the Partisan Review archives were made available online through institutional libraries.
Legacy
- Recognized for its rigorous standards, interdisciplinary approach, and role in introducing European modernist thought to an American readership.
- The Partisan Review archives are housed at the University of Chicago Library and the New York Public Library, providing researchers access to its extensive back catalog.
References
- Phillips, William, and Philip Rahv. The Partisan Review: A History. New York: The Partisan Review, Inc., 1978.
- Goodwin, James. “The Partisan Review and the New York Intellectuals.” American Literary History 22, no. 3 (2010): 467‑492.
- University of Chicago Library, Partisan Review Collection (digital archive).
Note: All information presented is derived from published historical accounts and archival records.
