John D. French is a distinguished Professor of History at Duke University, holding secondary appointments in African and African-American Studies, as well as International Comparative Studies. His expertise encompasses Brazilian and Latin American history, labor movements, and political culture. With a rich academic background, including a B.A. from Amherst College and a Ph.D. from Yale University under the guidance of renowned Brazilian historian Emília Viotti da Costa, French has dedicated his career to exploring the intricate social and political landscapes of Brazil and Latin America.
Expertise in Brazilian Politics and Labor History
Professor French’s research delves into the dynamics of class, race, and politics in Brazil and Latin America. His extensive body of work includes 48 peer-reviewed articles, alongside numerous book chapters and reviews, solidifying his position as a leading scholar in the field. His scholarship is characterized by rigorous analysis and a deep engagement with the historical complexities of the region.
A cornerstone of his recent work is the critically acclaimed monograph, Lula and his Politics of Cunning: From Metalworker to President of Brazil (UNC Press, 2020). This significant contribution to Brazilian political history garnered prestigious awards in 2021, including the Sérgio Buarque de Holanda Prize from the Brazil Section of the Latin American Studies Association and the Warren Dean Memorial Prize from the Conference on Latin American History. The book has stimulated considerable academic discussion, evidenced by round-table discussions in prominent journals such as Labor: Studies in Working Class History, American Historical Review, Latin American Politics & Society, and International Review of Social History.
The impact of Lula and his Politics of Cunning extends beyond English-speaking academia. It has been widely reviewed and featured in five podcasts. Furthermore, its Brazilian translation, Lula e a Politica de Astúcia: De Metalúrgico ao Presidente do Brasil (Editora Expressāo Popular, 2020), has made his insightful analysis accessible to a Portuguese-speaking audience and is available as a free PDF download, demonstrating his commitment to broader intellectual engagement. His methodological and theoretical approach in understanding Lula’s rise is further elaborated in an article published in the Journal of Latin American Studies, providing deeper insights into his scholarly framework.
Broader Scholarly Contributions
Beyond his work on Lula, John D. French has authored several influential books that have shaped the field of Latin American history. These include The Brazilian Workers ABC (1992), a foundational text on Brazilian labor history, and Drowning in Laws: Labor Law and Brazilian Political Culture (2004), which examines the complex interplay of law and politics in Brazil. He also co-edited The Gendered Worlds of Latin American Women Workers (1997), highlighting his engagement with gender studies within the Latin American context. His forthcoming co-authored article on the Brazilian Supreme Court’s landmark 2012 decision on racial quotas in higher education further demonstrates his continued engagement with contemporary Brazilian issues.
Professor French’s commitment to the field is also evident in his extensive service to the academic community. He has served as Director of Duke’s Latin American Center and the Carolina-Duke Consortium, Treasurer of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA), and co-editor of the prestigious Hispanic American Historical Review for five years. His leadership roles extend to co-directing the Duke Brazil Initiative and the Global Brazil Humanities Lab, and the Bass Connections Project focused on social mobility and higher education in Brazil.
Mentorship and Teaching
Professor French is also a dedicated educator and mentor. He has supervised numerous doctoral dissertations on diverse topics within Latin American history, spanning from Bolivia to Spain and the Caribbean. His graduate teaching includes core courses on Modern Latin American History and Afro-Brazilian History and Culture, as well as the Latin American Wars of Independence. At the undergraduate level, he offers surveys of Brazilian and Modern Latin American history and specialized courses on the political and military history of Latin American independence movements. His guidance has been recognized through numerous undergraduate theses he has directed winning prestigious prizes, underscoring his commitment to nurturing the next generation of scholars.
In Spring 2020, Professor French co-taught a significant course, “Black Lives Matter Brazil/USA,” with Dr. Silvio Almeida, resulting in a student-led exhibit and a comprehensive website (http://blacklivesmatterbra-usa.com/), showcasing his engagement with contemporary social justice issues and his innovative teaching approaches.
John D. French’s prolific scholarship, dedicated teaching, and extensive service have cemented his position as a leading voice in Brazilian and Latin American history. His work continues to inform and inspire scholars and students interested in understanding the region’s complex past and present.
