Daryl Lee

Daryl Lee is an Associate Professor of French and Department Chair in the Department of French at Brigham Young University (BYU), affiliated with the Public Humanities program in the College of Humanities. His research focuses on 19th-century French literature, cultural history, and cinema studies, with particular attention to themes of revolution, representation, and translation. He has presented widely on topics like Christ-like qualities in world cinema and the aesthetics of heist films.

Lee’s academic projects include examining Mormonism’s portrayal in 19th-century French texts, analyzing the Paris Commune’s cultural legacy, and translating Senegalese women’s rights research into English for global accessibility. His scholarly work bridges literary analysis with contemporary social issues, emphasizing cross-cultural dialogue and historical reinterpretation.

Notable contributions include studies on Émile Zola’s engagement with anarchy, Baudelaire’s poetic landscapes, and the interplay between urban decay and cultural memory in Paris. His recent work (2025) explores postmodern reinterpretations of urban ruins in French literature. Lee actively contributes to public humanities through radio appearances and collaborative translation initiatives.