Susan Sontag

Sontag, Susan (Sontag, Susan) (1933-2004), American writer. Born January 16, 1933 in New York, childhood and adolescence has its place in Tucson (pc. Arizona) and in Los Angeles. In 1948-1949 she studied at the University of California at Berkeley, then at the University of Chicago (graduated in 1951, a Bachelor of Arts). Later studied English literature at Harvard University, where in 1954 she earned a Master of Arts, and a year later - the degree of Master of Philosophy. In the late 1950's - early 1960's she taught philosophy at several U.S. colleges and universities, including City College and Sarah Lawrence College, New York University and Columbia University.

Became known after the publication in the journal Partisan Review 'article, "Notes on Camp" (1964). By the time she was already the author of a small volume and exquisite style of the novel "The Rainmaker" (1963), as well as many articles printed in the most prestigious American magazines and took the reader's response. From articles on the so-called outcast artists, Sontag passed to the theoretical work on the appointment of contemporary art and the relationship between art and criticism.

Two collections of essays, Against interpretation and other essays "(1966) and" Samples reckless faith "(1969) strengthened the reputation of Sontag. In the early 1970's serious illness, which nearly led to the death for a long time interrupted her writing career. Recovered, Sontag wrote his two most famous books - "On Photography" (1977) and "Illness as Metaphor" (1978). In the first book, Sontag was awarded the National Prize of the circle of literary critics in the field of criticism for 1978. In the same 1978 Sontag has released a collection of short stories "I, and so on". In 1980 - one more, "Under the Sign of Saturn" in 1982 that left her favorite with a foreword by Elizabeth Hardwick. In 1989 was published "AIDS and its metaphors".

Among her works - the novels "A fan volcanoes" (1992) and "In America" (2000). The play "Alice in Bed," written in 1992, was first staged in 2000. Together with the photographer Annie Leibovitz, she published the book "Women" (2000).

Sontag belong scenarios films "Duet for cannibals" (1969), "Brother Carl" (1971), "The promise of the country" (1974) and "Driving without a guide" (1983).

Sontag - winner of many awards, holds honorary degrees. In 1993 she was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Died Dec. 29, 2004 in New York.