Dirk Hempel opens his study with an overview of the development of literary societies in Germany, but also in other European countries and in the USA, basing his survey on recent theories from the historical and social sciences on the democratic social phenomenon of the association. In addition, he presents the first typology of the different forms of literary society. The main body of the study is devoted to an examination of numerous literary societies in 19th century Dresden. He enquires into their organisation and active members and the contents of the societies' activities.

Dirk Hempel, Universität Hamburg.