David C. Schaberg

David C. Schaberg is a Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of California, Los Angeles. His research focuses on early Chinese historiography, classical poetry, and comparative literary studies between Chinese, Greek, and Latin traditions. He holds a PhD from Harvard University (1996) and has taught at UCLA since 2000. His work bridges literary analysis with historical and philosophical inquiry, particularly examining narrative forms and intellectual developments in pre-Qin China.

Education:

• PhD, Comparative Literature (Chinese, Greek, Latin), Harvard University, 1996 (Dissertation: Foundations of Chinese Historiography)
• Elective Student, National Taiwan University, 1986-1988
• A.B., Humanities Special Programs: Comparative Literature, Stanford University, 1982-1986

Research interests emphasize the intersection of literary forms and historical thought in early China, with comparative dimensions to Greco-Roman traditions. His award-winning book A Patterned Past redefines the structural and ideological foundations of Chinese historiography. Recent scholarship explores rhetorical strategies in classical texts and the evolution of moral discourse.

Scientific Awards:

• Joseph Levenson Prize (2003) for A Patterned Past, recognized for excellence in pre-1900 East Asian Studies

His publications span monographs, peer-reviewed articles, and critical reviews, with a focus on early Chinese narrative forms, ritual judgment in historiography, and comparative rhetorical analysis. Current research continues to investigate the relationship between literary expression and political thought in ancient East Asia.