Peter Steiner (1946-2024)

Dear friends and colleagues, with profound sorrow, we share the news of the passing of Peter Steiner, an exceptional scholar of Russian Formalism and author of the seminal monograph "Russian Formalism: A Metapoetics" (1984). His work remains a cornerstone for anyone seeking to understand the ideas and legacy of the formal method. Peter Steiner’s groundbreaking research consistently inspired new interpretive approaches, fostering rich discussion and reflection within the international academic community. The Italian edition of his work, "Il formalismo russo" (1991), published in the early 1990s with Vittorio Strada’s insightful introduction, was particularly influential in advancing the study of Russian Formalism among Italian Slavists and scholars of literary theory. It played a pivotal role in stimulating research and shaping critical inquiry.

We were honored to meet him in person at the University of Bergamo during the conference "Russian Formalism. 100 Years Later," co-organized with the University of Pisa in December 2023. His brilliant lecture, “Formalism in Mathematics, Ethics, Law, Aesthetics, and its Russian Variant,” captivated and invigorated the audience, inspiring scholars and enchanting younger attendees alike.
For his prolific contributions to the field, his generous spirit, and his infectious enthusiasm, we owe him an immeasurable debt of gratitude.
Dear Peter, your legacy will live on in our hearts and minds. You will be deeply missed. 
Your wisdom, generosity, and brilliance will forever inspire us.