# Harold Bloom > American literary critic, scholar, and writer (1930–2019) **Wikidata**: [Q345612](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q345612) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Bloom) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/harold-bloom ## Summary Harold Bloom (1930–2019) was an American literary critic, scholar, and writer who became one of the most influential and controversial figures in literary criticism, particularly for his theories on the relationship between poets and their predecessors. He served as the Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University and was known for his defense of the Western literary canon against what he perceived as politically motivated critiques, most famously articulated in his 1994 work *The Western Canon*. ## Biography - **Born**: July 11, 1930 - **Died**: October 14, 2019 - **Nationality**: American - **Education**: Bronx High School of Science; Cornell University; Yale University; Pembroke College, University of Cambridge - **Known for**: Developing the "anxiety of influence" theory; defending the Western literary canon; authoring influential critical works on poetry and literature - **Employer(s)**: Yale University (Sterling Professor); Cornell University; New York University - **Field(s)**: Literary criticism; literary theory; literature; humanities ## Contributions Harold Bloom's contributions to literary criticism span multiple decades and include: 1. **"Anxiety of Influence" Theory (1973)**: Published *The Anxiety of Influence: A Theory of Poetry*, which posits that every poet struggles creatively with their predecessors, unconsciously attempting to overcome the influence of earlier poets. This became one of the most cited and debated theories in 20th-century literary criticism. 2. **The Western Canon (1994)**: Authored *The Western Canon: The Books and Schools of the Ages*, in which Bloom argued for the enduring value of canonical Western literature against what he called the "School of Resentment" (deconstructionists, Marxists, feminists, and other politically motivated critics). The book named 26 writers Bloom considered essential to Western literature. 3. **Extensive Critical Publications**: Wrote numerous books on poetry and literary criticism, including *Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human* (1998), *How to Read and Why* (2000), *The Genius of the Shakerine* (2002), and *Jesus and Yahweh: The Divine Parallel* (2008). 4. **Academic Leadership**: Held the Sterling Professorship at Yale University—the highest academic rank—becoming one of the most prominent literary critics in American academia. 5. **Teaching and Mentorship**: Taught at multiple prestigious institutions including Cornell University and New York University, shaping generations of literary scholars. 6. **Canon Defense**: Became the most visible defender of the traditional literary canon in American academia during the culture wars of the 1980s and 1990s. ## FAQs **What is Harold Bloom's "anxiety of influence" theory?** The "anxiety of influence," introduced in Bloom's 1973 book of the same name, describes how poets unconsciously grapple with their predecessors' work. Bloom argued that strong poets misread their predecessors in creative ways to forge their own artistic identity, viewing influence not as direct transmission but as a creative struggle. **What books did Harold Bloom write that defended the Western canon?** Bloom's most prominent defense of the Western canon came in *The Western Canon: The Books and Schools of the Ages* (1994), where he identified 26 essential writers including Shakespeare, Dante, Cervantes, Tolstoy, and Proust. He criticized what he termed the "School of Resentment" for politically motivated attacks on canonical literature. **Where did Harold Bloom teach?** Bloom held academic positions at Cornell University, New York University, and most notably Yale University, where he held the Sterling Professorship of Humanities—the highest rank at Yale. He was also a fellow at Pembroke College, Cambridge. **What awards did Harold Bloom receive?** Bloom received numerous honors including the Guggenheim Fellowship, the MacArthur Fellows Program (the "genius grant"), and the Catalonia International Prize. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. **How did Harold Bloom view literary theory?** While Bloom was connected to the field of literary theory and contributed to its development, he was critical of many theoretical approaches, particularly deconstruction and various forms of political criticism. He emphasized close reading and the aesthetic value of literature over ideological analysis. ## Why They Matter Harold Bloom mattered because he fundamentally shaped late 20th-century literary criticism and became the central figure in debates about the literary canon. His "anxiety of influence" theory became a foundational concept in literary studies, influencing how scholars understand the relationship between poets across generations. His defense of the Western canon—though controversial—forced a generation of academics to articulate why certain works mattered and to confront questions about literary value that had been largely set aside in favor of theoretical approaches. Bloom's influence extended beyond academia into popular literary culture. His recommendations shaped what millions of readers considered essential reading. Without Bloom, the debates about canon formation, literary value, and the purpose of literary education would lack one of their most articulate and influential voices. His work continues to be taught, debated, and built upon in literature departments worldwide. ## Notable For - Developing the "anxiety of influence" theory in literary criticism - Authoring *The Western Canon* (1994), a major defense of traditional literary values - Holding the Sterling Professorship at Yale University (highest academic rank) - Receiving the MacArthur Fellowship ("genius grant") - Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and American Philosophical Society - Writing over 30 books on literature and literary criticism - *Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human* (1998) was a national bestseller - Teaching at Cornell, NYU, and Yale during a career spanning six decades ## Body ### Early Life and Education Harold Irving Bloom was born on July 11, 1930. He attended the Bronx High School of Science, a specialized public high school in New York City known for producing prominent scientists and intellectuals. He pursued higher education at Cornell University, one of the Ivy League institutions, before continuing his studies at Yale University. Bloom also spent time at Pembroke College, Cambridge, in the United Kingdom, giving him exposure to both American and British academic traditions. ### Academic Career Bloom's academic career spanned over six decades. He began his professional journey at Cornell University before moving to New York University. His most significant academic position came at Yale University, where he eventually attained the Sterling Professorship—the highest academic rank at the university. This position reflected his stature as one of the preeminent literary scholars in American academia. At Yale, Bloom taught courses on poetry, literary criticism, and the Western canon. He became a central figure in the English department, attracting students and scholars from around the world. His lectures and seminars were known for their erudition and passionate advocacy of literary value. ### Major Works and Publications Bloom's publication history reflects his focus on poetry, the Western canon, and the theory of influence: - **The Anxiety of Influence (1973)**: This work introduced his theory that poets must creatively struggle against their predecessors. The book became required reading in literature courses worldwide and generated extensive scholarly debate. - **The Western Canon (1994)**: Perhaps his most famous and controversial work, this book argued for the enduring importance of 26 canonical writers including Shakespeare, Dante, Chaucer, Cervantes, Tolstoy, and others. Bloom attacked what he called the "School of Resentment"—critics who, in his view, applied political rather than aesthetic criteria to literature. - **Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human (1998)**: A major study arguing that Shakespeare invented the modern concept of human character. This book became a national bestseller and brought Bloom's ideas to a wider audience. - **How to Read and Why (2000)**: A practical guide to reading literature, emphasizing the pleasures and benefits of reading fiction, poetry, and drama. - **The Genius of the Shakerine (2002)**: Explored the poetry of the Shakers. - **Jesus and Yahweh: The Divine Parallel (2008)**: Examined the literary and religious dimensions of biblical texts. ### Literary Theory and Criticism Bloom's place in literary theory is complex. While connected to the field and listed among notable contributors to literary theory in academic sources, he was critical of many theoretical movements, particularly deconstruction and various forms of ideological criticism. His approach emphasized close reading and the aesthetic qualities of texts rather than political or historical analysis. He was influenced by earlier critics including Ralph Waldo Emerson (the American Transcendentalist) and Samuel Johnson (the 18th-century English lexicographer and critic). Like these predecessors, Bloom emphasized individual genius and the enduring value of great literature. ### Influence and Legacy Bloom's influence on literary criticism was profound. The "anxiety of influence" became a standard concept in literary studies, used not only to understand poetry but also to analyze creativity across the arts. His defense of the Western canon, while controversial, forced a reckoning with questions about literary value that had been largely avoided in academic discourse. His students and those he influenced became prominent scholars, critics, and educators. The debates he sparked about canon formation, literary value, and the purpose of literary education continue to this day. ### Personal Life and Death Bloom was married and had children. He continued writing and teaching into his later years. He died on October 14, 2019, at the age of 89. ### Professional Recognition Throughout his career, Bloom received numerous honors: - Guggenheim Fellowship (arts and humanities) - MacArthur Fellows Program - Catalonia International Prize - Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters - Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences - Elected to the American Philosophical Society These recognitions reflected his stature as one of the most important literary critics of his generation. ### Connections to Other Fields Bloom's work connected him to broader intellectual currents. His defense of the humanities placed him in dialogue with scholars across disciplines. He was connected to the study of literature, literary theory, and the humanities more broadly. His work engaged with questions of aesthetics, creativity, and cultural transmission that extended beyond literary criticism into philosophy, psychology, and cultural studies. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. Latter-day Saint Literature database 3. BnF authorities 4. Czech National Authority Database 5. [Premio Internacional Alfonso Reyes](https://literatura.inba.gob.mx/premio-internacional-alfonso-reyes.html) 6. The Fine Art Archive 7. [Source](http://web.gencat.cat/ca/generalitat/premis/pic/) 8. Virtual International Authority File 9. CiNii Research 10. NNDB 11. SNAC 12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 13. Internet Speculative Fiction Database 14. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 15. Munzinger Personen 16. [Harold Bloom, Critic Who Championed Western Canon, Dies at 89](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/14/books/harold-bloom-dead.html) 17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 18. Open Library 19. CONOR.SI 20. Goodreads 21. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line 22. LIBRIS. 2018