Stephen Greenblatt

The term New Historicism emerged from a 1982 introduction written by Stephen Greenblatt, where he utilized Queen Elizabeth I's reaction to a revival of Shakespeare's Richard II to demonstrate the permeability between literary texts and historical events. This framework, which he also calls cultural poetics, became a central pillar of his influence within American academic literary studies.

Academic Formation and Early Career

Born in Boston in 1943, Greenblatt was raised in Newton, Massachusetts. He completed his undergraduate studies at Yale University in 1964 and earned his PhD there in 1969. During this period, he also attended Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he served as a Fulbright Scholar. His teaching career began at the University of California, Berkeley, where he remained for 28 years, eventually becoming a full professor in 1980. In 2000, he transitioned to Harvard University, where he holds the title of John Cogan University Professor of the Humanities.

Contributions to Literary Theory

Greenblatt co-founded the journal Representations in 1983, a publication that frequently serves as a platform for new historicist perspectives. His approach emphasizes that literary creations are cultural formations shaped by the movement of social energy. In addition to his theoretical work, he has edited prominent academic volumes, including The Norton Anthology of English Literature and The Norton Shakespeare. His 2000 book, Practicing New Historicism, co-authored with Catherine Gallagher, further codified these interpretive practices.

Critical Success and Public Scholarship

The 2011 release of The Swerve: How the World Became Modern brought Greenblatt significant mainstream recognition, earning both the National Book Award for Nonfiction and the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 2012. He also authored the biography Will in the World, which remained on The New York Times Best Seller list for nine weeks. His later work includes the 2018 volume Tyrant: Shakespeare on Politics, written in response to the 2016 United States presidential election.

Institutional Involvement

Beyond his writing, Greenblatt serves as a founder and faculty co-chair of the Harvard branch of Scholars at Risk, a network dedicated to protecting academic freedom and human rights for scholars worldwide. He has held fellowships at the Wissenschaftskolleg in Berlin and the American Academy in Rome. His professional affiliations include membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society.

Fast facts

• Born: 1943, Boston
• Education: Yale University, Pembroke College
• Current Position: John Cogan University Professor, Harvard University
• Key Theory: New Historicism
• Pulitzer Prize: General Nonfiction, 2012
• National Book Award: Nonfiction, 2011
• Holberg International Memorial Prize: 2016
• Marriage: Ramie Targoff (1998)

Questions readers ask

What is New Historicism?

It is a set of critical practices that examine literature within its historical context, treating history itself as contingent on the present.

Which major awards has Stephen Greenblatt received?

He has been honored with the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Holberg International Memorial Prize, and the Wilbur Cross Medal.

Achievements

• Rome Prize
• Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction — 2012
• Holberg International Memorial Prize — 2016
• Wilbur Cross Medal — 2010
• Held posts at Harvard University