OUR AIM IS TO BRING TOGETHER A COMMUNITY OF SCHOLARS INTERESTED IN THE LIFE AND WORKS OF JOHN MILTON - EDWARD R. RAUPP, FOUNDER- MILDON SOCIETY OF GEORGIA
Edward R. Raupp is a Professor of Humanities at Gori State University and a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Georgia. He has published many books and scholarly articles in different international journals. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, he talks about his efforts in promoting John Milton’s Life and Works through his brainchild, Milton Society of Georgia (MSG).
WA: PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF:
ERR: I am Edward R. Raupp. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Carnegie Mellon University, a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Minnesota, a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Georgia, a Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from Selinus University, and Honorary Doctorates from Gori State University and Tskhinvali State University. I am a Colonel in the United States Army in a retired status. I am married to Danna Vance Raupp. We are dual citizens of the United States and Georgia, and we live in Gori, a city in the independent nation of Georgia.
WA: TELL US ALL ABOUT THE MILTON SOCIETY OF GEORGIA- HOW IT BEGAN, WHO'S INVOLVED, ETHOS, AIMS, AND WHAT YOU DO.
ERR: The Milton Society of Georgia was founded for the following purposes:
1. The general purpose of MSG is to raise the level of awareness of and scholarship in both theoretical and practical, studies of the life and works of the famous English writer John Milton (1608-1674) and, more generally, to improve English language proficiency among Georgian pupils, students, school teachers, university lecturers and professors, and others in the area of English philology.
2. Specific aims and objectives of MSG are as follows:
a. Bring together a community of scholars interested in the life and works of John Milton.
b. Encourage the production of literary works associated with John Milton.
c. Issue publications about John Milton.
d. Hold meetings at which John Milton’s works shall be studied and discussed.
e. Foster the development of interest in English language and literature.
WA: HOW DO YOU RUN THE ORGANIZATION?
ERR: We have an Executive Committee and a number of operating committees. The Executive Committee and the full membership meet quarterly.
WA: HOW IS MILTON SOCIETY OF GEORGIA PROMOTING THE WORKS OF MILTON?
ERR: We established the Caucasus Journal of Milton Studies, which is published quarterly. The third issue has just been published: https://www.cjojms.com/index.php/research/issue/view/5
WA: WHAT MAJOR SUCCESSES HAVE YOU HAD SINCE FOUNDING THE MILTON SOCIETY OF GEORGIA?
ERR: Publication of three issues of the Caucasus Journal of Milton Studies.
WA: WHAT IS YOUR MODUS OPERANDI (MODE OF OPERATIONS) AT THE MILTON SOCIETY OF GEORGIA?
ERR: We follow the philosophy of John Milton's Arepagitica and his principles articulated in Of Education. There is never any fee for publication or access to the Journal.
WA: WHAT MAKES YOU EFFECTIVE AS THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE MILTON SOCIETY OF GEORGIA?
ERR: I practice "Servant Leadership." I serve the members of the Society and the wider world of those who are interested in English Language and Literature.
WA: WHAT SUPPORT DO YOU FEEL WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THE MILTON SOCIETY OF GEORGIA TO BE SUCCESSFUL?
ERR: External funding beyond the donations of a few members.
WA: IN WHICH AREAS WOULD YOU LIKE TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE MILTON SOCIETY OF GEORGIA?
ERR: Classes on writing, including poetry writing.
WA: TELL US MORE ABOUT THE WORKS OF JOHN MILTON.
ERR: Milton's poetry and prose are widely available in English, e.g. the Milton Reading Room at Dartmouth College https://milton.host.dartmouth.edu/reading_room/contents/text.shtml
WA: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WORK BY JOHN MILTON? WHY.
ERR: Lycidas is my favorite Milto work. It is the greatest pastoral elegy ever written in the English language.
WA: WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MAKE HIS WORKS KNOWN ESPECIALLY TO READERS IN AFRICA?
ERR: Our Journal is freely available to readers in Africa. We also invite African scholars at all levels to submit their work to the Journal for publication. And we donate funds to the Milton Society of Africa for their programs.
WA: AS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF MILTON SOCIETY OF GEORGIA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO IMPROVE THE ORGANIZATION?
ERR: I am soliciting papers for publication and assisting the Editor in Chief in preparing submissions for publication. I am also promoting the Society to teachers, lecturers, pupils, students, and school directors.
WA: HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR TEAM FOCUSED?
ERR: The Journal is a major program to maintain focus, as well as quarterly meetings of the members.
WA: WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS FOR THE MILTON SOCIETY OF GEORGIA?
ERR: We aim to start a Milton Corner for readings and classes.
WA: WHAT’S THE MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT MILTON SOCIETY OF GEORGIA THAT PEOPLE DON’T KNOW?
ERR: My wife is the Editor in Chief of the Caucasus Journal of Milton Studies, and she spends many hours improving the submissions.
WA: CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT MILTON SOCIETY OF AFRICA?
ERR: I know what the President has told us.
WA: WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MILTON SOCIETY OF AMERICA?
ERR: I am a long-time member of the Milton Society of America. They have advised us in our planning of activities .
WA: WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHT OF THE MILTON SOCIETY OF GEORGIA?
ERR: Publication of the first three issues of the Caucasus Journal of Milton Studies.
WA: WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE READERS AND LOVERS OF JOHN MILTON?
ERR: Read his works out loud. Meet with others and discuss his life and works.
WA: IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT YOURSELF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR READERS TO KNOW?
ERR: I am a Full Professor of Humanities at Gori State University and a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Georgia. I have published many books and scholarly articles.