David Herman

David Herman is an Associate Professor at the University of Virginia, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. He serves as Chair and Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) in his department.

Education:

• BA in Russian from Haverford College (1983)
• MA in Russian from Bryn Mawr College (1985)
• PhD in Slavic Languages and Literatures from UC Berkeley (1993)

Research Interests focus on 19th-century Russian literature, particularly Tolstoy's works, with explorations into literary theory, medieval/18th-century Russian literature, and language pedagogy. His work examines paradoxes in Tolstoy's ethics and aesthetics, including the tension between selfhood and selflessness, the role of silence in moral exemplars, and unresolved conflicts between literary art and ethical ideals.

Scientific Awards include an NEH Fellowship (2008-9) for Tolstoy studies, an ACLS/SSRC Postdoctoral Fellowship (1996-7), a UC Berkeley Distinguished Graduate Student Instructor Award, and Phi Beta Kappa membership.

Recent Publications analyze Tolstoy's ethical dilemmas, Pushkin's artistic philosophy, and Russian literary pedagogy, spanning narrative theory, historical context, and intertextual relationships. His work reveals trends in exploring moral exemplars, orphanhood theology, and literary form.

Contact: dh9a@virginia.edu