Denis Augier

Denis Augier serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Foreign Languages at the University of New Orleans, a position he has held continuously since 1998. His academic trajectory includes prior teaching appointments at Indiana State University and Indiana University, reflecting deep institutional engagement in French literary studies. Augier's scholarly identity bridges rigorous historical analysis with contemporary creative expression.

Education:

• Ph.D. in French Literature, Indiana University Bloomington, 1997
• M.A. in French Literature, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1992
• Licence in English, University of Avignon, France, 1989
• D.E.U.G in English, University of Avignon, France, 1988

Augier's research centers on alchemical symbolism across French literary history, spanning 16th-17th century texts to modern opera. His work examines how alchemical principles manifest in authors like Rabelais and Cyrano de Bergerac, while extending to 19th-21st century operatic developments. This chronological breadth reveals consistent thematic preoccupations with transformation, symbolism, and interdisciplinary connections between science and art.

His published scholarship demonstrates methodical exploration of alchemical motifs from Renaissance manuscripts to Hugo's Gothic narratives. Articles analyze how literary figures encode philosophical concepts through alchemical imagery, particularly in Notre-Dame de Paris and Le Songe de Poliphile. This body of work establishes Augier as a specialist in esoteric literary traditions with enduring relevance.

Augier maintains active scholarly engagement through regular presentations at forums like the Society for Interdisciplinary French 17th Century Studies, while simultaneously pursuing musical composition. His recent orchestral and electronic works—including Cajun Music #1 (2023) and Ghost Generators (2022)—demonstrate a unique fusion of literary scholarship and avant-garde artistry, reflecting his multidimensional creative intellect.