Francis Lieber and the Nineteenth-Century Copyright Debate

Wissenschaftspreis 2026 der Osnabrücker Wissenschaftlichen Gesellschaft

The nineteenth-century copyright debate in the US raised fundamental questions about literature, law, and authorship that still resonate today. This book explores the transnational origins of US national and international copyright law through the works of Francis Lieber (1798-1872), a German American author and professor, who emerged as a key figure in the copyright reform movement. Drawing on his published works as well as extensive archival sources, it highlights Lieber's international network and his role as a transnational mediator. It examines how his advocacy added a transnational dimension to the domestic copyright discourse by introducing continental-European concepts of literary property to the US. By combining legal and literary perspectives, the book carves out Lieber's understanding of authorship and creativity and provides a comprehensive analysis of how he embedded notions of copyright and literary property into broader discourses on citizenship, government, and international cooperation. By tracing the historic origins of copyright law, this study also offers valuable insights into contemporary challenges surrounding intellectual property, technological change, and the role of literature in democratic societies.