David A.J. Richards

David A.J. Richards is the Edwin D. Webb Professor of Law at New York University School of Law. He holds a JD from Harvard Law School (1971), a PhD in Moral Philosophy from Oxford University (1970), and an AB from Harvard University (1966). His research focuses on constitutional law, criminal law, feminism, gay rights, and the intersection of law with patriarchal psychology and artistic expression. He has authored over 20 books, including influential works like *Darkness Now Visible* (2018) and *Boys’ Secrets and Men’s Loves* (2019), and collaborates across disciplines with scholars like Carol Gilligan and James Gilligan.

Richards teaches courses on constitutional law, criminal law, and interdisciplinary seminars on resisting injustice and Shakespearean explorations of manhood. His work has been cited in landmark legal decisions, including India’s 2018 recognition of gay rights. Awards include the Choice magazine’s Best Academic Book of 1989 and the Institute of Criminal Justice Ethics’ Best Book in 1982. His research bridges legal theory, psychology, and literature, emphasizing the ethical imperative to resist patriarchal systems.

Richards co-leads seminars integrating creative writing and theater to explore resistance to injustice. Notable collaborations include *Holding a Mirror up to Nature: Shame, Guilt, and Violence in Shakespeare* (2021), analyzing links between patriarchy, psychological trauma, and violence. His memoir *Boys’ Secrets and Men’s Loves* reflects on personal and societal struggles against patriarchal norms.