Dr. Richard Klein

Biography

Richard Klein is a Professor Emeritus of French Literature who has made significant contributions to the field through his publications and teachings. He authored 'Cigarettes Sublime,' which has been translated into 14 languages, and his work often intersects cultural history with critical theory to address contemporary social issues. Klein's recent publication, 'Jewelry Talks: Novel Thesis,' is a fictional memoir theorizing personal ornamentation, which examines categories of jewelry within the context of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century French poetry. Throughout his tenure, he has educated students in poetry, modernism, and contemporary French thought. Klein has also served as the editor of 'Diacritics,' a journal dedicated to critical theory, and has produced extensive work in the Department of Romance Studies. His graduate seminars often explore innovative literary movements, such as Oulipo, a group of post-war authors known for their formalist experiments. Klein's academic interests include a focused exploration of troubadour poetry written in Old Occitan and the social and ideological conflicts surrounding poetry during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

Research Interests