Stephen Greenblatt stands as a beacon of intellectual prowess, renowned as a foremost scholar and a public thinker of great influence. His ascension to the pinnacle of academic excellence marks his journey through the esteemed realm of university teaching and research. Yet, Greenblatt's reach extends far beyond the hallowed halls of academia, as he shares his profound insights with audiences far and wide. In 2002, he was honored with the distinguished title of John Cogan University Professor of the Humanities at Harvard University, a testament to his illustrious contributions at one of the globe's most prestigious institutions.

Born on November 7, 1943, in the historic city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Greenblatt emerged as the progeny of Harry J. Greenblatt, a lawyer, and Mollie Greenblatt. His formative years were shaped at Newtown High School, where an inspiring English teacher, John Harris, played a pivotal role in steering him towards his future vocation. Greenblatt's academic journey then led him to Yale University, where he achieved a bachelor's degree in 1964 and a doctorate in 1969. He also pursued a master of philosophy degree at Cambridge University in England in 1966. Alvin Kernan, the renowned author of The Cankered Muse: Satire of the English Renaissance (1959), served as a significant mentor during his time at Yale.

Greenblatt commenced his illustrious teaching career in 1969 at the University of California, Berkeley's English Department, where he remained a faculty member until 1997 before transitioning to Harvard. His early career was marked by recognition from the National Endowment for the Humanities, which bestowed upon him the young humanist award in 1971–1972. Greenblatt's intellectual pursuits at Berkeley were profoundly influenced by the French philosopher Michel Foucault, who joined the institution in 1975. Foucault's impact was instrumental in shaping Greenblatt's development of New Historicism.

New Historicism and Its Impact

New Historicism, often interwoven with Cultural Studies, is a method of interpreting literary texts within their historical milieu or the specific time and place of their creation. This approach also encompasses theories on how overarching social and historical forces sculpt texts, transcending mere authorial creativity. In "Pretending to Be Real: Stephen Greenblatt and the Legacy of Popular Existentialism," Paul Stevens acknowledges Greenblatt's groundbreaking New Historicist work, Renaissance Self-Fashioning: From More to Shakespeare (1980), as a seminal shift in English studies.

Greenblatt's prolific contributions continued with influential publications that delved into Renaissance literature and culture. His works include Shakespearean Negotiations: The Circulation of Social Energy in Renaissance England (1988), Learning to Curse: Essays in Early Modern Culture (1990), Marvelous Possessions: The Wonder of the New World (1991), and Hamlet in Purgatory (2001). As the editor of the Norton Shakespeare and multiple collections of scholarly essays, his publications predominantly cater to academic audiences. However, Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare (2004) marked a significant departure, reaching an enthusiastic audience both within and outside academic circles. The book garnered nominations for prestigious accolades, including the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize.

By 2005, Greenblatt had solidified his role as John Cogan University Professor of the Humanities at Harvard University in Boston. In his personal life, he shares a partnership with Ramie Targoff and is a proud father to three sons.