David Coombs

David Coombs is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at Clemson University's College of Arts and Humanities. His research focuses on 19th-century literature, intellectual/conceptual history, and the intersection of sensory perception with literary and scientific thought. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from Cornell University and a B.A. from Indiana University.

His current project, *The Crisis Genre: The Victorian Historical Novel and the Unfinished Nineteenth Century*, examines how Victorian historical novels navigated tensions between Enlightenment-era crisis theory and emerging concepts of deep time. His first book, *Reading with the Senses*, explores how 19th-century scientific theories of perception influenced literary practices. Recent articles analyze description in Victorian novels, Walter Pater's aestheticism, and Dickensian resonance.

Research interests span Victorian realism, sensory studies, and the philosophy of history. His work bridges literary analysis with intellectual history, emphasizing interdisciplinary dialogue. Though no specific grants or awards are listed, his publications reflect sustained engagement with major journals in the field. No advising details are provided.