Memories Rudolph B. Schlesinger

Rudolf B. Schlesinger passed away exactly four years ago. His long life has allowed him to witness, almost entirely, the past century. The comparative law community is gathering in New Orleans to celebrate the past century of comparative legal studies. A century that has been dominated by a handful of great masters. We believe that this international scholarly community regards R.B. Schlesinger as the Master of Masters and the past century as the century of Rudolf B. Schlesinger. At the Cornell Common Core Project, R.B. Schlesinger has taught to us a methodology that is today more lively than ever. His case-book is still the “ big dog ” in the fi eld. In his work for the New York Law Revision Commission he has showed to us the potentials of our discipline for law reform. We believe that the comparative law community – those who had the fortune to know and to love him in person, as well as those younger ones who did not have this chance – would be eager to know more about this exceptional man. And we also believe that the best way to know about a person is to let him talk. The Memories we have the honor to present fulfi ll this quest.