Editors' Introduction: Stephen Mennell - The sociable character

Abstract

Over a number of cold and wet days in January, sixty academics, friends and colleagues gathered in Dublin’s historical Newman House to honour the remarkable and ongoing work of Professor Emeritus Stephen Mennell. Despite his initial worry that few would come, all those touched by what Andrew Linklater refers to as ‘the processes of Mennellisation’ attended and many others sent messages of goodwill. They travelled from as far as Australia, the USA, Brazil, Turkey, and from all over Western Europe, to be the part of this warm celebration of Stephen Mennell’s work. He was described by very many as a mentor, a true friend, known for his fierce loyalty, generosity, warmth and kindness. Supportive of not only his friends but of colleagues in other disciplines, and of many keen young academics, they always felt recognized and rewarded in his presence. It was for some of these sociological and extra-sociological reasons that this special issue takes stock of, reflects upon, and seeks in some small way to honour Mennell’s work.