Jonathan M. Weiss
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Weiss is an American
scholar of French
literature
and social science
whose extensive publications include literary
and theatre
criticism, essays on Franco-American relations
, a short story
, and most recently the biography of Irène Némirovsky
.
Weiss is currently NEH Class of 1940 Distinguished Professor of Humanities, emeritus, in the Department of French and Italian at Colby College
in Waterville, Maine
. Weiss currently lives in Dijon
, France
with his wife, Dace.
. He received his B.A.
from Columbia College
in 1964, and his Ph.D.
from Yale University
in 1973. From 1967–1968 Weiss had a Fulbright Fellowship
for research in France
. In 1977 and again in 1979, he had a Canadian Government
fellowship
for research in Quebec
. He was also granted in 1979 another Fulbright Fellowship
for research this time in Quebec
.
In the mid 1960s Weiss worked as an interpreter
for the United States State Department during which time he interpreted for, among others, Martin Luther King, Jr.
for francophone African
dignitaries. From 1969-1972 Weiss was a lecturer
in French
, at the University of Warwick
, Coventry, England. From 1972–2007 he was an instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, and full professor of French at Colby College
. He was granted tenure
in 1978 and was promoted to full professor
in 1986. Weiss served as Chair of the modern foreign languages department from 1982–1985, he was also the director of Off-Campus Study and Academic Affairs from 1990–1997, and Associate Dean of Faculty from 1997–2000. In September 2000 he was awarded the NEH endowed chair. During his tenure as director of off-campus study, Weiss established programs of study in Dijon
, France
, and London
, England
, the latter a joint program with Bowdoin
and Bates
colleges. Weiss continues to direct the Dijon program.
In his authored works, Weiss typically writes in French
or English
depending of his audience
. His recent Némirovsky biography was written in French and published in France before being translated into English by his wife for publication in the United States. Irène Némirovsky
was a prolific Russian
-born French writer of fiction who published her novels and short stories in Paris
until she was deported to Auschwitz.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
scholar of French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
literature
French literature
French literature is, generally speaking, literature written in the French language, particularly by citizens of France; it may also refer to literature written by people living in France who speak traditional languages of France other than French. Literature written in French language, by citizens...
and social science
Government of France
The government of the French Republic is a semi-presidential system determined by the French Constitution of the fifth Republic. The nation declares itself to be an "indivisible, secular, democratic, and social Republic"...
whose extensive publications include literary
Literary criticism
Literary criticism is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. Modern literary criticism is often informed by literary theory, which is the philosophical discussion of its methods and goals...
and theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
criticism, essays on Franco-American relations
Franco-American relations
Franco-American relations refers to the international relations between France and the United States. Its groundwork was laid by the colonization of parts of the Americas by the European powers France and Great Britain...
, a short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
, and most recently the biography of Irène Némirovsky
Irène Némirovsky
Irène Némirovsky was a French novelist who died at the age of 39 in Auschwitz, Nazi Germany occupied Poland. She was killed by the Nazis for being classified as a Jew under the racial laws, which did not take into account her conversion to Roman Catholicism.-Biography:Irène Némirovsky was born in...
.
Weiss is currently NEH Class of 1940 Distinguished Professor of Humanities, emeritus, in the Department of French and Italian at Colby College
Colby College
Colby College is a private liberal arts college located on Mayflower Hill in Waterville, Maine. Founded in 1813, it is the 12th-oldest independent liberal arts college in the United States...
in Waterville, Maine
Waterville, Maine
Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The population was 15,722 at the 2010 census. Home to Colby College and Thomas College, Waterville is the regional commercial, medical and cultural center....
. Weiss currently lives in Dijon
Dijon
Dijon is a city in eastern France, the capital of the Côte-d'Or département and of the Burgundy region.Dijon is the historical capital of the region of Burgundy. Population : 151,576 within the city limits; 250,516 for the greater Dijon area....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
with his wife, Dace.
Biography
Jonathan Mark Weiss was born in New Britain, ConnecticutNew Britain, Connecticut
New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately 9 miles southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 71,254....
. He received his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Columbia College
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1964, and his Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1973. From 1967–1968 Weiss had a Fulbright Fellowship
Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright-Hays Program, is a program of competitive, merit-based grants for international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. Under the...
for research in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. In 1977 and again in 1979, he had a Canadian Government
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
fellowship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
for research in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. He was also granted in 1979 another Fulbright Fellowship
Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright-Hays Program, is a program of competitive, merit-based grants for international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. Under the...
for research this time in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
.
In the mid 1960s Weiss worked as an interpreter
Interpreting
Language interpretation is the facilitating of oral or sign-language communication, either simultaneously or consecutively, between users of different languages...
for the United States State Department during which time he interpreted for, among others, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
for francophone African
African French
African French is the generic name of the varieties of French spoken by an estimated 115 million African people spread across 31 francophone African countries...
dignitaries. From 1969-1972 Weiss was a lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, at the University of Warwick
University of Warwick
The University of Warwick is a public research university located in Coventry, United Kingdom...
, Coventry, England. From 1972–2007 he was an instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, and full professor of French at Colby College
Colby College
Colby College is a private liberal arts college located on Mayflower Hill in Waterville, Maine. Founded in 1813, it is the 12th-oldest independent liberal arts college in the United States...
. He was granted tenure
Tenure
Tenure commonly refers to life tenure in a job and specifically to a senior academic's contractual right not to have his or her position terminated without just cause.-19th century:...
in 1978 and was promoted to full professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
in 1986. Weiss served as Chair of the modern foreign languages department from 1982–1985, he was also the director of Off-Campus Study and Academic Affairs from 1990–1997, and Associate Dean of Faculty from 1997–2000. In September 2000 he was awarded the NEH endowed chair. During his tenure as director of off-campus study, Weiss established programs of study in Dijon
Dijon
Dijon is a city in eastern France, the capital of the Côte-d'Or département and of the Burgundy region.Dijon is the historical capital of the region of Burgundy. Population : 151,576 within the city limits; 250,516 for the greater Dijon area....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the latter a joint program with Bowdoin
Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College , founded in 1794, is an elite private liberal arts college located in the coastal Maine town of Brunswick, Maine. As of 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranks Bowdoin 6th among liberal arts colleges in the United States. At times, it was ranked as high as 4th in the country. It is...
and Bates
Bates College
Bates College is a highly selective, private liberal arts college located in Lewiston, Maine, in the United States. and was most recently ranked 21st in the nation in the 2011 US News Best Liberal Arts Colleges rankings. The college was founded in 1855 by abolitionists...
colleges. Weiss continues to direct the Dijon program.
In his authored works, Weiss typically writes in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
or English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
depending of his audience
Audience
An audience is a group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature , theatre, music or academics in any medium...
. His recent Némirovsky biography was written in French and published in France before being translated into English by his wife for publication in the United States. Irène Némirovsky
Irène Némirovsky
Irène Némirovsky was a French novelist who died at the age of 39 in Auschwitz, Nazi Germany occupied Poland. She was killed by the Nazis for being classified as a Jew under the racial laws, which did not take into account her conversion to Roman Catholicism.-Biography:Irène Némirovsky was born in...
was a prolific Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
-born French writer of fiction who published her novels and short stories in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
until she was deported to Auschwitz.
Books
- Irène Némirovsky. Paris: Éditions du Félin, 2005. ISBN 2-86645-599-1
- Irène Némirovsky: Her Life and Works. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2007. ISBN 9780804754811
- French-Canadian Theater. Boston: Twayne Publishers (bought by Macmillan); May 1986.
- French-Canadian Literature. Washington, DC: The Association for Canadian Studies in the United States, 1989. Reprinted by the Michigan State University Press, 1995.
- Essays on French-Canadian Theater (Editor, with Joseph Donohoe). East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 1995. Winner of the ACSUS award for best book of essays on Canada, 1996.
Recent articles
- "Arthur Buies et les Etats-Unis au XIXe siècle" Québec Studies, 1987, p. 89–99.
- "Une lecture américaine de Volkswagen Blues," Études françaises, vol. 21, no. 3 (Winter 1985–86), p. 89–96.
- "Le théâtre québécois: une histoire de famille," inle Théâtre au Québec, mémoire et appropriation, Montréal: Société d’Histoire du Théâtre du Québec, 1990, p. 131–140.
- "Le Premier Mouvement: un roman américain?," Études françaises, 26:2, 1990, p. 21–29.
- "Le Centenaire de la Révolution Française dans la presse américaine," Littérature et nation, 2:3, September 1990, p. 135–149.
- "Jacques Poulin, lecteur de Hemingway," Études françaises, 1993, 11–22.
- "À Rome comme à Dijon: Le Président de Brosses en Italie," in Le XVIIIe siècle : histoire, mémoire et rêve. Mélanges offerts à Jean Goulemot, Paris: Honoré Champion, 2006. ISBN 2-7453-1332-0.
Recent papers given
- "Les Origines de la Francophobie américaine," France-Amérique Bourgogne Association, Dijon, March 9, 2004.
- "Le Personnage théâtral," Université de Bourgogne (école doctorale), March 9, 2004
- “From ‘The French Monster’ to ‘Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys’: Two Centuries of Francophobia in the United States”, Society for French Historical Studies, Paris, June 18, 2004
- "Table ronde - Trois destins singuliers: Romain Gary, Maurice Sachs, Irène Némirovsky," Institut Mémoire de l’Édition Contemporaine, Caen (France), May 21, 2005.
- "Liberté, fraternité, judéophobie: American reactions to perceived French anti-Semitism," Symposium on The French in the United States, University of Texas at Austin, April 22, 2005.
Plays produced at Colby College
- The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Brecht), January 1973
- La Leçon (Ionesco), December 2002
- La Leçon du mardi (play written by French major Allison McAnney), April 2003
- La Cantatrice chauve (Ionesco), April 2004