This month the Kluge Center welcomes distinguished sociologist William Julius Wilson as a scholar-in-residence. Librarian of Congress James H. Billington appointed Wilson to the Kluge Chair in American Law and Governance through May 2015.
Wilson is the Lewis P. and Linda L. Geyser University Professor at Harvard University. He is one of 24 University Professors, the highest professional distinction for a Harvard faculty member. Regarded as a leading scholar on issues of urban poverty, race and class relations, Wilson wrote the 1987 book, “The Truly Disadvantaged: The Inner City, The Underclass and Public Policy,” which is a staple in many college courses.
Wilson will spend four months at the Kluge Center revisiting research on race and inequality found in his earlier works through the lens of recent events. In particular, Wilson will continue to refine theories laid out in his work “The Declining Significance of Race” (1978), where he suggested that economic class was more critical than race in determining future life outcomes.
Wilson is the author of “More than Just Race” (2009), “The Bridge over the Racial Divide” (1999) and “When Work Disappears” (1996). He was a MacArthur Fellow from 1987 to 1992. He was awarded the National Medal of Science in 1998 and was selected by Time magazine in June 1996 as one of America’s 25 Most Influential People. Wilson serves on the Scholars Council of the Library of Congress.
The Kluge Chair in American Law and Governance is a distinguished senior research position appointed by the Librarian of Congress. Using research facilities and services at the Library of Congress, the scholar conducts research that focuses on the development of government in the United States, and on domestic matters of and among the three different branches of government.
Toward the end of his tenure, Wilson will deliver a public lecture. Details will be announced on our website.
Comments (2)