Dr. Michel Andre Bossy

Biography

Michel-Andre Bossy is a Professor Emeritus in French Studies and Comparative Literature at Brown University, where he has dedicated his scholarly career to exploring the medieval cultural connections between France and its neighbors, particularly during the period of the troubadours and the Hundred Years' War. He earned his PhD in comparative literature from Yale University and joined Brown's faculty, where he eventually became the chair of the French Studies department. His areas of research focus on medieval French, Anglo-Norman, and Occitan literature, as well as the social interpretations of literature from the 12th to the 15th century. Bossy’s work delves into themes of literary patronage and court politics, analyzing how these elements influenced cultural production in medieval Europe. His research investigates the political dimensions conveyed through handwritten manuscripts, exploring various methods of manuscript acquisition during times of social turmoil, including war. Bossy has been awarded several research grants throughout his career, enabling him to study outstanding manuscripts across European libraries, with a notable interest in the works of troubadour Guiraut Riquier. He has authored and edited numerous scholarly publications, contributing significantly to the understanding of medieval literary dynamics and heritage.

Research Interests