Dr. Henry Ravenhall

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Henry Ravenhall is an Assistant Professor specializing in medieval French literature and culture. He earned his PhD from King's College London in 2020, following an MA in French Literature and Culture (2016) and a BA in French History (2015), also from King's College London. Prior to joining UC Berkeley, he served as a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Cambridge from 2021 to 2023, and held postdoctoral positions at Freie Universität Berlin and King's College London. His research focuses on the role of manuscript materiality in shaping how readers engage with stories and ideas, and he is particularly interested in bringing modern theoretical concepts into dialogue with medieval texts. His monograph, "Anachrony Assemblage: Reading Manuscript Culture Medieval Soissons," explores the complexities of manuscript culture and its implications for contemporary understanding of medieval literature. Ravenhall has published on various topics including the tactile interactions with medieval texts and the philosophy of Jean-Luc Nancy. In addition to his research, he teaches medieval Occitan literature, ecocriticism in premodernity, and critical theory.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.