<div dir="ltr"><div><b style="font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><span style="font-size:20pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In Memoriam: Frank Joseph Shulman
(1940\u20132026)</span></b></div><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr"><div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><i><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">A Foundational Bibliographer of East Asian Studies and a Steadfast Friend
to Korean Studies</span></i><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Frank Joseph Shulman, one of the most influential bibliographers in East
Asian studies and a central figure in documenting the development of Korean
Studies in the West, passed away on May 9, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of
extraordinary depth, precision, and generosity. His work shaped the
intellectual infrastructure of our field in ways that will continue to guide
scholars for generations.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Frank\u2019s name is inseparable from the bibliographic foundations of Korean
Studies. His published volume, <i>A Century of Doctoral Dissertations on Korea,
1903\u20132004</i> (Brill, 2010), remains the most comprehensive reference of its
kind\u2014an achievement built on decades of meticulous research and an unwavering
commitment to accuracy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Yet this volume represented only part of his vision. For many years after
its publication, Frank continued to work on a far more ambitious, multi\u2011volume
project titled:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The First Century of Doctoral Dissertations on Korea, 1903\u20132004:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> <b>Accompanied by Notes about the
Academic Backgrounds and Master\u2019s Theses of Many of the Authors</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">This expanded edition, which was intended for the University of Michigan
Press, incorporated extensive new material and included three invited
Forewords, one of which I was honored to write at his request. Although this
enlarged edition was never published during his lifetime, it stands as a
testament to Frank\u2019s lifelong dedication to building a complete and enduring
record of Korean Studies in the West. I sincerely hope that the University of
Michigan Press will one day bring this important work to publication, both to
honor Frank\u2019s decades of labor and to serve the scholarly community he cared
for so deeply.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">My professional relationship with Frank spanned decades. He often sought
my advice on matters relating to Korea, and he regularly forwarded Korea\u2011related
news, opportunities, and concerns that he believed would benefit our community.
His support was steady, thoughtful, and sincere\u2014never self\u2011promoting, always in
service of the field.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Our paths also intersected in service to the broader scholarly community.
As a long\u2011standing member of the Board of Directors of the Asian Division
Friends Society (ADFS) at the Library of Congress, Frank championed my
nomination and made it possible for me to become, in 2006, the first Korean
board member in the Society\u2019s history, as far as I know. His belief in the
importance of Korean representation was genuine and deeply felt.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Frank was a welcome presence at many Korea\u2011related events I organized at
The George Washington University, including the Hahn Moo-Sook Colloquium in the
Korean Humanities. While he did not attend every year, his
participation\u2014whenever he could join us\u2014was marked by enthusiasm, intellectual
curiosity, and a characteristic desire to support the work of others.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">His passing leaves a profound absence. Frank was a scholar of rare
dedication, a colleague of uncommon generosity, and a friend whose loyalty and
kindness enriched the lives of those around him. His bibliographic
contributions will continue to guide researchers, and his example will remain a
model of rigor, service, and devotion to the advancement of knowledge.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I extend my heartfelt condolences to Anna Leon Shulman, his devoted
partner in life and a trusted friend and professional colleague in so many of
his worthwhile projects, including his valued Daily Newsletter on Asia. Her
steadfast support was integral to Frank\u2019s work, and the loss is deeply felt by
all who knew them both.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">May he rest in peace, and may his memory continue to inspire all who care
about Korean Studies and the broader world of scholarship he served so
faithfully.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Young Key Kim\u2011Renaud, George Washington University</span></p></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><font color="#999999"><span lang="KO"><font face="\ubc14\ud0d5, serif">\uae40\uc601\uae30 \u91d1\u69ae\u8d77</font></span><span><br></span>Young-Key Kim-Renaud, Ph.D.</font><font color="#999999"><br>Senior Advisor, Institute for Korean Studies</font></div><div dir="ltr"><font color="#999999">Professor Emeritus of Korean Language and Culture and International Affairs, </font></div><div dir="ltr"><font color="#999999">Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures</font><font color="#999999"><br>The George Washington University</font></div><div dir="ltr"><font color="#999999"><a href="http://eall.columbian.gwu.edu/young-key-kim-renaud" target="_blank">http://eall.columbian.gwu.edu/young-key-kim-renaud</a></font><div><font color="#999999"> </font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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