In Memoriam

E. Allan Farnsworth (1928-2005)

The New York Times obituary is here.  He was, indisputably, the preeminent authority on contract law of his generation.  His passing--following, as it does, that of other preeminent treatise writers in recent years, such as Philip Areeda of Harvard, Kenneth Culp Davis of Chicago (and, then, San Diego), and Charles Alan Wright of Texas--underlines the fact that doctrinal work like that carried out by the great treatise writers is no longer a staple of the elite law schools.  The Farnsworth of the next generation is unlikely to be a member of the Columbia Law School faculty, or that of any other "top" law school.