Jesus Torrecilla

Professor Jesús Torrecilla is a scholar specializing in Spanish Literature from the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. Currently affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), he previously served as an Assistant Professor at Louisiana State University (1991–1996).

Education:

• Ph.D. (1991) – University of Southern California
• B.A. (1981) – Universidad de La Laguna, Spain
• Additional studies – Universidad Complutense (Madrid), Ludwig-Maximilian Universität (Munich)

His research explores the interplay of nation-building, marginality, and power relations in shaping Spanish culture. Key themes include the Generation of 1898, nationalism, post-colonialism, and exoticism, with a focus on how national identities and historical narratives influence literary expression.

His scholarly output includes ten books analyzing topics like Spanish progressive thought, the Generation of 1898, and the exotic image of Spain. Notable works include Exotic Spain (2004) and Time and Margins (1996). He is also a novelist, winning the 1998 Lengua de Trapo award for Tornados.

Scientific Awards:

• Lengua de Trapo award (1998) for novel Tornados

Recent publications examine Al-Andalus’s cultural legacy, Larra’s Romanticism, and power dynamics in Spanish Realism. His article trends highlight intersections of colonialism, identity, and aesthetic innovation in Spanish texts.