Suzanne Guerlac is an American scholar of French literature and culture. She is Distinguished Professor Emerita of French at the University of California, Berkeley. Her work addresses nineteenth- and twentieth-century French literature and thought, with a focus on Henri Bergson, Marcel Proust, and the intersections of literature, philosophy, and the visual arts.
Early life and education
Suzanne Guerlac received her B.A. in philosophy from Barnard College in 1971 and her M.A. and Ph.D. in French Studies from Johns Hopkins University.
Personal life
She is the daughter of Henry Guerlac, who was Goldwin Smith Professor of History of Science at Cornell University, and Rita Carey Guerlac. In 1974, in New York, she married Charles Porter Stevenson Jr.; the two later divorced. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her husband Stephen Mark Sharnoff.
Academic career
Guerlac taught at the University of Virginia, Yale University, Johns Hopkins University, and Emory University before joining the faculty at the University of California, Berkeley as a full professor in 1999. At Berkeley, she taught undergraduate and graduate courses through the Department of French and graduate seminars in the Program in Critical Theory, which she co-directed in the years leading up to her retirement.
Research and writings
Guerlac's work is interdisciplinary, encompassing French literature and culture, philosophy, and aesthetics.
Her first book, The Impersonal Sublime: Hugo, Baudelaire and Lautréamont (Stanford University Press, 1990), examines the aesthetic category of the sublime in French romanticism and avant-garde developments, drawing on rhetorical and philosophical treatments by Longinus, Edmund Burke, and Immanuel Kant.
Her second book, Literary Polemics: Bataille, Sartre, Valéry, Breton (Stanford University Press, 1997), analyzes the emergence of French theory in the 1960s–1970s, particularly the review Tel Quel. Guerlac explores roots of French theory in the literary practices and voices of Paul Valéry, Jean-Paul Sartre, André Breton, and dissident surrealist Georges Bataille, who associated literature with acts of transgression.
During her research for Literary Polemics, she encountered frequent references to the philosopher Henri Bergson, a major intellectual figure of the early 20th century. Her third book, Thinking in Time: An Introduction to Henri Bergson (Cornell University Press, 2006), introduces Bergson’s philosophy, focusing on time and duration. Her later work uses Bergson’s ideas to consider issues such as climate change, technological change, and claims concerning "artificial life" and social decline.
Her book Proust, Photography and the Time of Life: Ravaisson, Bergson and Simmel (Bloomsbury, 2020) explores Proust in relation to contemporary philosophers influenced by Bergson’s thought and examines the temporality and cultural history of photography.
Guerlac co-edited Derrida and the Time of the Political (with Pheng Cheah, Duke University Press, 2009), which includes her essay on Derrida and Paul Ricoeur. She also edited a special issue of MLN on Henri Bergson (120:5, December 2005).
She has contributed to reference works such as The Cambridge History of French Literature, The Columbia History of Twentieth-Century French Thought, The Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism, and Encyclopedia of Modern Europe: Europe 1789–1914. She has published numerous essays, including "The Useless Image: Bataille, Magritte, Bergson" (Representations, Winter 2007), "Reflections on Durational Art" (Representations, 2016), "Little Cuts in Time: Photography and the Everyday" (in The Made and the Found, Essays in Honor of Michael Sheringham, 2017), and "Rancière and Proust: Two Temptations" (in Understanding Rancière, Understanding Modernism, 2016).
Critical reception
Suzanne Guerlac's scholarship has been widely recognized for its interdisciplinary approach, bridging French literature, philosophy, and visual culture, particularly through her analyses of Henri Bergson, Marcel Proust, and French theory. Her work has been praised for its clarity and intellectual rigor, contributing significantly to literary and philosophical studies.
The Impersonal Sublime: Hugo, Baudelaire, and Lautréamont (1990) was lauded for its nuanced exploration of the sublime in French romanticism. The French Review described it as "a sophisticated study that deftly weaves philosophical and rhetorical traditions, offering fresh insights into Hugo, Baudelaire, and Lautréamont." Critics noted its innovative use of Longinus, Burke, and Kant to reframe avant-garde aesthetics, establishing Guerlac as a key voice in literary theory. The book has garnered over 180 citations on Google Scholar as of 2025.
Literary Polemics: Bataille, Sartre, Valéry, Breton (1997) received acclaim for its analysis of French theory’s literary roots. The Modern Language Review called it "a lively and illuminating account of the intellectual tensions of the period" and "an important contribution to the study of French theory," particularly for its focus on the journal Tel Quel. SubStance praised its "rigorous examination of Bataille’s transgressive poetics," though some reviewers questioned its limited engagement with feminist perspectives in the surrealist context. It has received over 200 citations on Google Scholar.
Thinking in Time: An Introduction to Henri Bergson (2006) was celebrated for revitalizing interest in Bergson’s philosophy. Philosophy in Review described it as "a lucid and accessible introduction to Bergson’s philosophy that opens the way for further critical engagement," emphasizing its clarity in explicating time and duration. The Review of Metaphysics noted that it "successfully bridges Bergson’s ideas to contemporary issues like climate and technology," though some critics suggested it could have further explored Bergson’s influence on postmodernism. The book has over 500 citations on Google Scholar, reflecting its influence in philosophy and literary studies.
Proust, Photography and the Time of Life: Ravaisson, Bergson and Simmel (2020) was commended for its innovative synthesis of literature and visual culture. H-France Review called it "an ambitious and rewarding study that deepens our understanding of the temporality of photography and its philosophical stakes," highlighting its interdisciplinary approach. The Modern Language Review praised its "elegant integration of Proust’s narrative with Bergson’s and Simmel’s philosophies," though some reviewers noted its dense theoretical framework may challenge general readers. It has accumulated over 80 citations on Google Scholar.
Guerlac’s broader influence is evident in her contributions to reference works and essays, such as those in Representations and The Cambridge History of French Literature, which critics have cited for their interdisciplinary insights. Her work has been described as "a cornerstone for understanding the intersections of literature and philosophy in modern French thought" by scholars in the field. Across her publications, Guerlac's oeuvre has garnered over 300 citations on Google Scholar, with an h-index of approximately 12.
Media and public engagement
In a 1999 interview with the Emory Report, Guerlac discussed her intellectual journey and engagement with French culture. She has given public lectures at Humanities West in San Francisco (on Victor Hugo) and the Commonwealth Club (on Bergson).
Awards and recognition
Artforum highlighted Thinking in Time as one of the year's best books in 2006. The Modern Language Association awarded Guerlac the Aldo and Jeanne Scaglione Prize for French and Francophone Studies for Literary Polemics in 1997. Her work has been supported by UC Humanities Research Grants and a Townsend Center Bridge Grant. Guerlac has lectured internationally in France and the UK.
See also
- Henri Bergson
- Jacques Derrida
- Marcel Proust
References
External links
Category:Living people Category:University of California, Berkeley faculty Category:American literary critics Category:Barnard College alumni Category:Johns Hopkins University alumni Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Forest E. Johnson (born on May 17, 1899) was an American boat designer, boat builder and boat racer from Key West, Florida. He built his first boat at the age of 14. He would go on to build over 2,000 Boats and win many Awards and Trophies for his achievements as a Boat Racer.
By the time Johnson was 14 years old, he had built his first boat. Soon after, he was building outboard powered race boats and winning races with his own design. Johnson married Gina Navarro in Key West, Florida at the age of 19 and within the next 6 years had 3 daughters. He built and raced his own boats winning a 150-mile non-stop race from Key West to Miami.
In the 1920s, he mobved to Coconut Grove, Florida. His power boats were in high demand and his business, the Forest E. Johnson Boat Co. thrived. In 1935 Hurricane "Yankee" demolished most of his boatbuilding facility and he divorced from his wife In 1936, he moved to Miami and built a manufacturing facility on the Miami River where the company name was soon legally changed to Forest E. Johnson Boat Works. The brand name "Prowler" came from a friend in 1940 who made reference to his boats being not only fast but featuring a semi-vee hull that could operate in shallow water and "Prowl like a Prowler". ![Forest E. Johnson 26' Prowler](/Forest_E._Johnson_26"_Prowler.jpg "Forest E. Johnson 26' Prowler")
In addition to winning inland races and setting speed records up and down the eastern United States, Forest E. Johnson was also one of the Pioneers in starting the sport of Ocean Racing. He continued to be very successful at boat racing. One of his most notable victories came in 1958. He won the Ocean Powerboat Race from Miami to Key West, then set a record in winning the Ocean Powerboat Race from Key West to Havana - a record which stood for 57 years before being broken in 2015. 
In later years, younger drivers in Jr. Prowlers continued to win and set records. Renowned Boat Racing Drivers like Howard Hibbert maintained the Prowler winning tradition.
In 1956, Rene & Gale Jacoby, Wife & Daughter of Harry Jacoby (owner of Amazon Hose & Rubber Company) made the decision to enter Boat Racing. After successfully racing in inland events, by 1963 this mother-daughter team had a 31' Prowler and entered the Miami to Nassau Offshore Ocean Powerboat Race finishing in the middle of the pack. They soon followed up with a First Place Finish in the Production Class and Third Overall in a Miami to Key West Offshore Powerboat Race!
Many of the vessels Johnson built during his lifetime became classics, beginning in the early part of the 20th Century and continuing through prohibition, World War II, the 50s, and throughout the 60s.
Johnson built boats for the City of Miami, County, and State of Florida as well as the U.S. Navy. In 1955, Johnson drove one of his twin-engine 26' Prowlers from Miami, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas towing 22-year-old Delores Kipple non-stop on One Single Water-Ski. This World Record was set in 10 hours and 25 minutes, covering 200 Miles despite losing one engine near Nassau on board the Prowler "Tooky". 
Don Aronow, the originator of Boatbuilding Companies Formula Marine, Donzi Marine, Magnum Marine, and Cigarette Racing Team, was also a good friend and Johnson helped Don Aronow get started in the boat-building business in the early 1960s as referenced in a book "Don Aronow, The King of Thunderboat Row" by his son Michael Aronow.
By 1968, most all wooden hull boats had been replaced with fibreglass models. So, he ceased building wooden boats and made the change to build 23-foot and 32-foot fibreglass Prowlers until his death in 1971.
Johnson's son Forest Johnson paid tribute to his father, his father's boats, and the early days of Miami boatbuilding in an article about "The Life of Legendary Boatbuilder Forest E. Johnson" in Power & Motoryacht magazine (July 2015 Issue - Page 44).
Awards
1928: 1st Tahiti Beach Cup, Bay Hijacker II, B-Class, First Place
1928: 2nd Tahiti Beach Cup, Baby Hijacker IV, C-Class, First Place
1928: 3rd Tahiti Beach Cup, Biscayne Bay, B-Class, First Place
1928: Miami Herald Outboard Marathon, Miami Sunny Isles, B-Class 30 miles, First place
1928: Tampa Boat and Anglers Club, All Cat Class B, First Place
1928: West Palm Beach Outboard Trophy, Class B, First Place
1928: Palm Beach Yacht Club, Outboard Regatta, 2nd prize, Class B, Coconut Grove FL
1936: Albany - New York Motorboat Race, Inboard, Class E, First Place
1937: Biscayne Bay Regatta, Miami Cruiser, Second Prize
1938: Washington Birthday Regatta Gold Cup, First Place
1946: Biscayne Bay Regatta, First Place
1948: Biscayne Bay Regatta, First Place
1948: Glenn L. Martin Trophy
1951: New Martinsville Regatta, Inboards, W Virginia
1957: Nation's Top speedboat Drivers set for a 2-day launch Club Regatta; Hibbert, holder of the world five-mile competitive record for F service runabouts, defending his National crown in Forest E. Johnson's newest Jr. Prowler.
1958: Ocean Race, Regata Crucero a Motor, Miami to Havana, First Place
1958: Ocean Race, Miami to Havana, Speed Record, First Place
References
Category:1899 births Category:1972 deaths
Dhavan V. Shah is an American communication scholar whose research focuses on political communication, health communication, and computational social science. He is the Jack M. McLeod Professor of Communication Research and the Louis A. & Mary E. Maier-Bascom Chair at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he directs the Mass Communication Research Center (MCRC) and serves as research director for the Center for Communication and Civic Renewal (CCCR).
His work examines how media, discussion, and digital technologies influence civic engagement, social judgments, and health outcomes. Notable publications include the books Battleground: Asymmetric Communication Ecologies and the Erosion of Civil Society in Wisconsin (2022) and News Frames and National Security: Covering Big Brother (2015), both published by Cambridge University Press. Shah was elected a fellow of the International Communication Association in 2016 and received its B. Aubrey Fisher Mentorship Award in 2022.
Early life and education
Shah earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communication from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1989. He received a Master of Arts (1995) and a PhD (1999) in mass communication, with a minor in political psychology, from the University of Minnesota.
Academic career
Shah joined the University of Wisconsin–Madison as an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in 1998, becoming associate professor in 2002 and full professor in 2004. He was appointed the Louis A. & Mary E. Maier-Bascom Chair in 2006 and the Jack M. McLeod Professor of Communication Research in 2023.
Since 2010, he has directed the Mass Communication Research Center. Since 2020, he has served as research director of the Center for Communication and Civic Renewal, which is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. In 2024 the center received a $3 million renewal grant from the Knight Foundation for 2024–2029.
Shah holds affiliate appointments in industrial and systems engineering, marketing, and political science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He has collaborated with the Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies (CHESS) since 2011 on digital health interventions.
He delivered the Robert M. Pockrass Memorial Lecture at Pennsylvania State University in 2023 and the William S. Morris III Distinguished Lecture at Texas Tech University in 2014.
Research
Shah’s research integrates experimental, survey, and computational methods to study political communication, framing effects, and health communication.
In political communication, he developed the communication-mediation model, which links media use and interpersonal discussion to civic participation. Through the CCCR, his work examines asymmetric media ecologies and their impact on civic life, as detailed in Battleground (2022).
His framing research analyzes how news coverage shapes public opinion on national security and civil liberties, as explored in News Frames and National Security (2015), which received positive scholarly attention.
In health communication, Shah has contributed to digital therapeutics, including a randomized trial of the A-CHESS smartphone application that reduced risky drinking days among patients recovering from alcoholism.
Selected publications
Books
- Battleground: Asymmetric Communication Ecologies and the Erosion of Civil Society in Wisconsin (2022, with Lewis A. Friedland et al.; Cambridge University Press).
- News Frames and National Security: Covering Big Brother (2015, with Douglas M. McLeod; Cambridge University Press).
Articles
Awards and honors
- B. Aubrey Fisher Mentorship Award, International Communication Association (2022)
- Fellow, International Communication Association (elected 2016)
- WARF Named Professorship (Jack M. McLeod Professor of Communication Research), University of Wisconsin–Madison (2023)
References
External links
- Official faculty website
- Mass Communication Research Center
- Center for Communication and Civic Renewal
Category:Living people Category:American communication scholars Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty Category:University of Minnesota alumni Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Michael D. Gurven is an American anthropologist and Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He is co-founder and co-director of the Tsimane Health and Life History Project, a long-running biomedical and anthropological study of the Tsimane people of the Bolivian Amazon. His research integrates biodemography, human biology, and evolutionary anthropology to study human life history, aging, cardiovascular health, the evolution of cooperation, and health effects of modernization. Gurven's findings on low rates of chronic diseases among the Tsimane and the evolutionary roots of human longevity have received widespread attention in outlets such as BBC News, Aeon, The Washington Post, and Scientific American. He is the author of Seven Decades: How We Evolved to Live Longer (Princeton University Press, 2025), which challenges notions of short ancestral lifespans and has been reviewed in Business Insider., Gizmodo., and Science..
Early life and education
Gurven earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in anthropology and mathematics from Pennsylvania State University in 1996. He completed his Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of New Mexico in 2000; his doctoral dissertation was titled To Give and Give Not: The Evolutionary Ecology of Hunter-Gatherer Food Transfers. His primary Ph.D. advisor was Kim Hill. Early fieldwork and comparative research included work with the Ache, Hiwi, and Tsimane peoples.
Academic career
Gurven joined the UCSB Department of Anthropology as an assistant professor in 2001 and received tenure in 2007. He was promoted to full professor in 2011 and was named Distinguished Professor in 2024. He chaired the Integrative Anthropological Sciences unit from its inauguration in 2008 through 2022. He has served as Associate Director of the Broom Center for Demography and is core faculty in UCSB's Center for Aging and Longevity, and he is principal investigator on multiple NSF and NIH grants supporting work in demography, cardiology, infectious disease, and evolutionary medicine.
Research
Gurven is co-founder and co-director of the Tsimane Health and Life History Project (since c.2002), which follows thousands of Tsimane individuals and produces longitudinal biomedical and demographic data. Major findings include:
- Very low levels of coronary atherosclerosis among the Tsimane compared with many industrialized populations.
- Rapidly declining average body temperature in a tropical human population (2004–2018).
- Parasite infection patterns with measurable effects on fertility, immune function, and cardiovascular risk factors.
- Minimal evidence for a universal mid-life happiness dip in non-industrial populations.
- Evidence for slower brain aging and low arterial stiffness among elderly Tsimane.
Awards and honours
- Harold J. Plous Award for exceptional achievement in research, teaching and service, UC Santa Barbara (2004).
- Early Career Award, Human Behavior and Evolution Society (HBES) (2010).
- Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (2022).
Media and public engagement
Gurven has been featured in major outlets including The Washington Post, The New York Times, Scientific American, Wired, BBC News, and Aeon, often discussing how insights from Indigenous populations can inform public health. He has been interviewed on NPR about cultural barriers to healthcare access among the Tsimane.
Selected publications
- Kaplan H., ..., Gurven M., Thomas, G. Coronary atherosclerosis in indigenous South American Tsimane. The Lancet. 2017;389(10080):1730–1739. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30752-3.
- Gurven M, Kaplan H. Longevity Among Hunter-Gatherers: A Cross-Cultural Examination. Population and Development Review. 2007;33(2):321–365. doi:10.1111/j.1728-4457.2007.00171.x.
- Davison R, Gurven M. "The importance of elders: extending Hamilton's force of selection to include intergenerational transfers". PNAS. 2022;119(28):e2200073119. doi:10.1073/pnas.2200073119.
- Gurven M, Stieglitz J, Trumble B, Blackwell AD, Beheim B, Davis H, Hooper P, Kaplan H. "The Tsimane Health and Life History Project: Integrating anthropology and biomedicine". Evolutionary Anthropology. 2017;26(2):54–73. doi:10.1002/evan.21515.
- Gurven M, Sarrieddine A, Lea A. "Health Disparities Among Indigenous Peoples". Annual Review of Anthropology. 2024;53:55–73. doi:10.1146/annurev-anthro-041222-101445.
Books
- Gurven, Michael D. Seven Decades: How We Evolved to Live Longer. Princeton University Press, 2025.
See also
References
External links
- Gurven Lab – UCSB
- Michael D. Gurven – CV
- To Give and Give Not – Google Books
- Seven Decades – Princeton University Press
Category:American anthropologists Category:University of California, Santa Barbara faculty Category:University of New Mexico alumni Category:Pennsylvania State University alumni Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people)