Dr. Josiah Blackmore

Biography

Josiah Blackmore is the Nancy Clark Smith Professor in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at Harvard University. His scholarly work focuses on the literature and culture of medieval and early modern Portugal, with particular emphasis on maritime expansion writings. He has produced significant research in medieval manuscript studies and the history of the book. Blackmore has lectured widely across the United States, Canada, Europe, and South Africa, and has served as a Visiting Professor at Harvard University and the University of Chicago. Before his time at Harvard, he was a faculty member at the University of Toronto. He is the author of influential works such as 'Moorings: Portuguese Expansion Writing Africa,' selected as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title, and 'Manifest Perdition: Shipwreck Narrative Disruption Empire.' Additionally, he has co-edited 'Queer Iberia' and released an edited reproach of Charles R. Boxer’s 'Tragic History Sea.' His recent book, 'Inner Sea: Maritime Literary Culture Early Modern Portugal,' was published in 2022.

Research Interests

Courses