Dr. Jesse Mccarthy

Biography

Jesse McCarthy is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at Harvard University, specializing in African American literature and the African diaspora. His research encompasses various themes including postwar literary history, Black studies, modernism, aesthetics, and the intersection of literature with film and intellectual history. He has earned acclaim for his recent works, which include 'Blue Period: Black Writing Early Cold War' and 'Pay Reparations Soul? Essays', contributing significantly to current discourse in literary criticism. McCarthy has also co-edited several critical editions and anthologies, including the Norton Anthology of African American Literature. His teaching and mentorship are reflective of his commitment to guiding the next generation of scholars in these fields. Additionally, he is involved in digital humanities projects and engages actively in literary commentary through essays published in prominent outlets like The New York Review of Books and Public Books. McCarthy is currently on leave until Fall 2025 but is accepting graduate student advisees during this period.

Research Interests