"This study documents for the first time the scientific and cultural-historical significance of the Gesellschaft fèur deutsche Literatur (1888-1938) in Berlin, with which the educated middle classes contributed both to the creation of the German literarystudies in more recent times and to the urban culture of the city. The authors convey a vivid picture of the prolific lecture activities of the Society, the members of which included a number of Jewish academics who were barred from success at the universities as a consequence of academic anti-Semitism."--Publisher's website.