His career is the ‘story of the African American literary tradition’
Sean Brenner I UCLA
On the eve of a symposium in his honor, colleagues pay tribute to Richard Yarborough
It would be difficult to overstate the impact of Richard Yarborough’s career on the study of African American literature and U.S. literature more broadly, or of his many and diverse contributions to UCLA. But one way to at least contextualize the indelible mark he has made is to consider what colleagues and students say about his scholarship and mentorship, and about the breadth of his expertise and the scope of his achievements.
Yarborough, a professor of English and of African American studies, retired in June after 45 years as a UCLA faculty member. Perhaps not surprisingly, his emeritus status hasn’t kept him from teaching (he’s leading a course on early African American literature this quarter) or continuing to advise graduate students.
On Dec. 6, friends, colleagues and former students will gather on campus for a symposium in his honor. Seven scholars from across the U.S. — all of whom had Yarborough on their doctoral dissertation committees — will speak about their work while reflecting on Yarborough’s unique legacy.
In advance of the event, a UCLA colleague and two of his former students shared what Yarborough has meant to them personally, to their work and to the field that he has done so much to shape.
Read the full story and tributes.
Photo credit: Christelle Snow/UCLA