Tom Bigelow served as Managing Editor of The Kenyon Review in Gambier, Ohio from 1998-2002. He worked in cramped basement offices producing issues of literary depth and grace-continuing the run of one of the fine gray ladies of American publishing. He died, at age 47, just as The Review was preparing to move into a lovely suite of new offices-where he truly wanted and deserved to be. As if such evidence was needed, there's not much fair about life. My own will always feel cheated by his loss.

Tom brought a quiet passion to his work-and to his play, with friends like photographer Larry Hamill and designers Dave and Amy Butler, a kind of manic humor with which he so deftly broke his own mold, to create a sense of deeply human delight. He was fun to be with, and had that mark of strength that let you know, and gently, that you could count on him. Tom was a restless soul, private by nature, while also available and engaged. He showed incredible strength in his last, rushed weeks of illness-with so little time, finally. He died, not in his sleep, but fighting for every breath, wanting life to continue, having more to do. Had he survived, he'd have been a partner in this publishing enterprise, and would have made it better-sharper-more clear, by putting his head and hands to the task. It is a real privilege to dedicate this site in Tom's honor. Here's to his enduring spirit.