Vincent FERRE

Vincent FERRE is a Professor of General and Comparative Literature at Sorbonne Nouvelle University (Paris 3) in the UFR Literature, Linguistics, Didactics, Department of General and Comparative Literature (LGC), and member of the CERC - Center for Comparative Studies and Research - EA 172. He was appointed University Professor in General and Comparative Literature in 2012 and achieved exceptional class (PREX1) in 2021.

His research focuses on Medievalism (reception and recreation of the Middle Ages in the 19th-21st centuries), Literary Theory (novel and theory, essay in the novel, novel and philosophy), and 20th-century novel across French, English, American, German and Austrian fields. He is particularly renowned for his expertise on J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien. His current IUF project 'Des archives de Christopher Tolkien à la définition d'un médiévalisme européen (XXe-XXIe s.)' analyzes Christopher Tolkien's archives to transform our understanding of fantasy literature and medievalism in contemporary European cultures.

Vincent FERRE's publications show strong trends in Tolkien studies, medieval reception, and literary theory. His work spans reference works (notably the 'Dictionnaire Tolkien'), critical analyses of Tolkien's works, studies of medievalism, and explorations of literary theory, particularly regarding the essay genre within novels. His research demonstrates interdisciplinary connections between literature, philosophy, and cultural studies.

• Prix Imaginales (illustration) for Alan Lee's 'Cahier de croquis du 'Hobbit''
• Prix spécial, Imaginales for 'Lire J.R.R. Tolkien'
• Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire / Festival 'Etonnants Voyageurs' for 'Tolkien, Voyage en Terre du Milieu'

FERRE has directed and co-directed numerous theses on topics ranging from poetics of literary genres to political readings of fantasy literature, Proust studies, and Tolkien scholarship. He serves as Director of the 'JRR Tolkien' collection at Christian Bourgois editor since 2012 and is actively involved in academic service as President of the LGC college of specialists (2024-), elected member of the laboratory council (2024-), and member of various committees. He is also the Sorbonne Nouvelle correspondent for the 'LEA! - Lire en Europe Aujourd'hui' university network, coordinating a major Erasmus+ project on reading communities across European universities.