Robert Norton

Robert E. Norton is a Professor of German Studies at the University of Notre Dame with concurrent appointments in History and Philosophy. He holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University (1988) and has taught at both liberal arts colleges and major research universities. His research focuses on cultural and intellectual history of Europe, particularly German thought from the Enlightenment to early 20th century, encompassing moral philosophy, political theory, aesthetics, and literary history.

He has held administrative roles including 18 years as department chair and 4 years as Associate Vice President for Internationalization in the Office of the Provost. His teaching includes interdisciplinary College Seminars on themes like 'Decline and Fall,' 'Money,' and 'Death,' as well as courses in Philosophy on figures like Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud.

Notable achievements include a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship (1997-98), Jacques Barzun Prize in Cultural History (2003), and Ungar German Translation Award. His major publications explore figures like Ernst Troeltsch, Stefan George, and Herder, bridging historical analysis with philosophical inquiry.