Gustave Lanson

Gustave Lanson (1857-1934) was a French historian and literary critic. He taught at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Related Topics:
1857 - 1934 - French - Historian - Literary critic - Sorbonne - Paris

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Lanson was a major figure in the reformation of the French university system at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as a dominant force in French literary criticism until well after his death. He is known primarily for his writings on literary history, particularly his attempts to fuse the studies of literature and of culture; in the former area he expanded upon, and in part questioned, the idea of "race, milieu, and moment" as described by Hippolyte Taine. He also contributed a great deal to the study of pedagogy, arguing for the pedagogical importance of the explication de texte (in English called close reading).

Related Topics:
20th century - Literary history - Literature - Culture - Race, milieu, and moment - Hippolyte Taine - Pedagogy - Close reading

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In 1911 Lanson was a visiting professor at Columbia University in New York. During this period he travelled extensively in the United States, visting a number of college campuses, and later wrote about his experiences. Lanson was struck by the importance of religion on American campuses, though he also commented that the unity inspired by shared religion was fading in favor of shared interest in collegiate sports, particularly American football.

Related Topics:
1911 - Columbia University - New York - United States - Religion - American football

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