लेखक: Joel Elias Spingarn

Joel Elias Spingarn (1875–1939) was an influential American literary critic, educator, and civil rights activist. He was born in New York City and graduated from Columbia University in 1895, where he later became a professor of comparative literature. Spingarn”s scholarly work primarily focused on the literary and cultural movements of the Renaissance. His seminal book, “A History of Literary Criticism in the Renaissance” (published in 1899 and revised in 1908), remains a significant contribution to the study of Renaissance thought and its emphasis on classical learning and literary theory. The book offers a comprehensive review of critical discourse during the period, analyzing the influence of classical criticism on Renaissance humanists and the subsequent development of poetic and dramatic theory. As a critic, Spingarn was an early proponent of the “New Criticism” approach to literary analysis, advocating for the significance of a work”s aesthetic structure and intrinsic qualities, apart from historical and biographical context. He was also a notable figure in the Harlem Renaissance, co-founding the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and serving as chairman of its board from 1913 to 1919. Spingarn”s advocacy extended to the arts, where he encouraged the development of African American writers and artists. His contributions to literary criticism and his commitment to social justice have left a lasting legacy on both academic and civic spheres. (Baker, Houston A., Jr.