Brian Sutton-Smith, Playful Scholar

This book honors the legacy of Dr. Brian Sutton-Smith, Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Folklore at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Sutton-Smith was considered the premier play scholar of his generation, with numerous publications in the fields of developmental psychology, folklore, anthropology, sociology of sport, education, and philosophy. We present an eclectic array of essays written in honor of the centennial of his birth, ranging from the scholarly to the overtly playful. There are essays distilling his work to their key ideas and some that offer a robust and respectful critique. There are personal anecdotes honoring his memory, and original works of fiction celebrating his legacy. The book is a publication in the TASP biannual Play and Culture Studies series and includes photographs of Brian Sutton-Smith, as well as heartfelt appreciation from scores of colleagues.

Michael M. Patte is professor of early childhood education and program coordinator for the Child Life Specialist and Playwork Programs at Commonwealth University. Fraser Brown is emeritus professor of playwork. Prior to retirement he was Director of Studies for all postgraduate playwork research at Leeds Beckett University. Anna Beresin is professor emerita at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

List of Figures, Images and Tables Foreword byJames E. Johnson Introduction by Michael M. Patte Chapter 1: An Ever-Incomplete Conversation Between Three Books: Homo Ludens by Johan Huizinga, The Ambiguity of Play by Brian Sutton-Smith, and The Ecology of Imagination in Childhood by Edith Cobb by Sylwyn Guilbaud Chapter 2: Memories of Brian: a Fellow Contrarian byGordon M. Burghardt Chapter 3: Brian Sutton-Smith and the Obscurity of Play by Peter D. McDonald Chapter 4: Key Ideas of Brian Sutton-Smith by Anna Beresin Chapter 5: The Remembrances of a Folklorist by June Factor Chapter 6: Play Manifesto by Ana Marjanovic-Shane Chapter 7: The Ambiguity of Love: A Commedia dell'arte Scenario Based on The Seven Rhetorics of Play of Brian Sutton-Smith's Famous Work (with scholarly commentary) by John Joseph Cash & John A. Cross Chapter 8: From the Streets of Wellington to the Ivy League: Reflecting on a Lifetime of Play - An Interview with Brian Sutton-Smith by Fraser Brown & Michael M. Patte Chapter 9: Brian Does a Prank by Jay Mechling Chapter 10: Brian Sutton-Smith and Anything Goes: "A carnevale ogni scherzo vale" by Helen B. Schwartzman Chapter 11: Metaphorical Explorations of Play and Playwork by Fraser Brown Chapter 12: Brian Sutton-Smith: Notes and Snapshots by Jeffrey Goldstein Chapter 13: My Hybrid Hundredth Birthday Celebration for Brian Sutton-Smith by Elizabeth Tucker Chapter 14: Incorporating Adult Play in Graduate Education: Inspired by Brian Sutton-Smith by Myae Han, Ekaterina Novikova, Stephanie Kuntz, Ariadni Kouzeli, Sharon Davis, Amy Santos, & Margo Harlan Chapter 15: Inside the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play at The Strong by Jeremy K. Saucier Chapter 16: A Sutton-Smith Mini Puzzle by Anna Beresin Appendix: Brief Reflections-A Celebratory Compilation by Fraser Brown About the Contributors Index