Jonathan Culler, the Class of 1916 Professor Emeritus of English and Comparative Literature in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) is the winner of the 2026 Wayne C. Booth Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for the Study of Narrative (ISSN).
A specialist in literary and cultural theory and French literature of the 19th century, Culler has written on structuralism, theory and criticism, semiotics and contemporary and comparative literary theory. Many of his books have been translated into more than 25 languages.
"Through the concept of naturalization, Culler's work has shaped numerous conversations in cognitive and unnatural narrative theory," said Marco Caracciolo, ISSN past president. "His reappraisal of narratorial omniscience and work on narrative's relationship with the lyric have also left a profound mark on contemporary narratology."
Culler will receive the award in June 2026 during the ISSN conference in Aarhus, Denmark, an event that will include a panel devoted to his scholarly contributions and celebrating his career. The Lifetime Achievement Award has gone to some of the biggest figures in literary theory of the last 50 years, said Gavin Walker, professor and chair of the Department of Comparative Literature (A&S).
Read the full story on the College of Arts and Sciences website.
