Susan Sontag
Born 1933 · Age 92
American writer, critic, playwright and public intellectual known for essays (Against Interpretation, On Photography), novels, films, activism and cultural criticism.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born Susan Lee Rosenblatt
Born in New York City to Mildred (née Jacobson) and Jack Rosenblatt.
Father dies in Tientsin, China
Jack Rosenblatt, her father, died of tuberculosis while managing a fur trading business in Tientsin.
Graduated North Hollywood High School
Completed high school at age 15 (precocious student).
Started undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley
Began college at the University of California, Berkeley before transferring to University of Chicago.
Married Philip Rieff
Married sociologist/philosophy instructor Philip Rieff after a 10-day courtship.
Graduated A.B. from University of Chicago; Phi Beta Kappa
Completed undergraduate degree at age 18; elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
First published work in Chicago Review
Work appeared in print for the first time (winter issue of the Chicago Review).
Birth of son David Rieff (approx.)
Had a son, David Rieff, who later became a writer and editor; birth year inferred from chronology of events.
Taught freshman English at University of Connecticut
Taught for the 1952–53 academic year following her Chicago degree.
Attended Harvard University for graduate studies
Entered Harvard for graduate work in literature/philosophy; later completed a Master of Arts in philosophy and began doctoral research.
Completed Master of Arts at Harvard (approx.)
Completed MA in philosophy before beginning doctoral research (year estimated from chronology).
AAUW Fellowship to St Anne's College, Oxford (1957–58)
Awarded an American Association of University Women fellowship and traveled to Oxford for 1957–58 academic year.
Transferred to University of Paris (Sorbonne)
Left Oxford after Michaelmas term and moved to Paris; described as a highly formative period.
Divorced Philip Rieff
Marriage to Philip Rieff ended in 1958; she continued to be professionally involved in research for Rieff's work.
Moved to New York and regained custody of son
Moved to New York to live with María Irene Fornés and regained custody of her son David.
Publication: Freud: The Mind of the Moralist (authorship disputed)
Work credited to Philip Rieff in 1959 but Sontag's authorship/contribution has been disputed by biographers.
Taught at Columbia University (1960–64)
Taught philosophy of religion and related subjects in Columbia's religion department until 1964.
Published novel 'The Benefactor'
Published an experimental novel at age 30, marking early fiction output.
Published essay 'Notes on "Camp"'
Essay brought early fame and reframed the concept of 'camp' in cultural criticism.
Writing fellowship at Rutgers; left academia (1964–65)
Held a writing fellowship at Rutgers (1964–65) and subsequently left academic employment to be a full-time freelance writer.
Published 'Against Interpretation' (essays)
Collection included influential essays and cemented Sontag's reputation as a critic.
Published novel 'Death Kit'
Continued literary output with an experimental novel published in 1967.
Signed 'Writers and Editors War Tax Protest' pledge
Refused to pay a proposed 10% Vietnam War surtax as political protest.
Visited Hanoi
Traveled to Hanoi during the Vietnam War and later wrote about North Vietnamese society.
Film: 'Duet for Cannibals' released
Made experimental film work; one of several film projects in late 1960s/1970s.
Received Arts and Letters Award in Literature
Award recognizing literary achievement.
Published 'On Photography'
Series of essays exploring photography's cultural role; became a major influential work.
National Book Critics Circle Award for 'On Photography'
Won the NBCC Award the same year On Photography was published.
Published 'Illness as Metaphor'
Monograph examining the language and metaphors used to describe illness.
Film: 'Promised Lands' (and other film projects)
Continued to write and direct experimental films through the 1970s and early 1980s.
Mother died of lung cancer
Sontag's mother passed away in Hawaii in 1986.
Published 'AIDS and Its Metaphors'
Follow-up to Illness as Metaphor, focusing on AIDS-related discourse.
Became President of PEN American Center (approx.)
Served as President of PEN's American branch; active in writer-rights matters and the Rushdie controversy.
Began long personal/creative association with Annie Leibovitz
Met Annie Leibovitz in 1989; they had a close relationship through Sontag's later years.
Awarded MacArthur Fellowship
Received the MacArthur 'genius' grant in recognition of her work.
Published novel 'The Volcano Lover'
Achieved popular success with this best-selling historical novel.
Received Malaparte Prize (Italy)
International recognition for literary achievement.
Directed 'Waiting for Godot' in besieged Sarajevo
Traveled to Sarajevo during the siege to direct Beckett's play; was named an honorary citizen and became a symbol of solidarity.
Published novel 'In America' (approx.)
Historical novel later awarded the National Book Award (2000); publication year sometimes cited as 1999.
Awarded Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres (France)
French cultural honor recognizing major contributions to the arts and literature.
Won National Book Award for 'In America'
Received the National Book Award, a major American literary prize.
Awarded the Jerusalem Prize
Prize awarded to writers whose work explores the freedom of the individual in society.
Published essay 'Looking at War' in The New Yorker
Essay on photography and war; won the 2002 George Polk Award for Cultural Criticism.
Won George Polk Award for Cultural Criticism
Award for 'Looking at War' (The New Yorker).
Received Friedenspreis des Deutschen Buchhandels and Prince of Asturias Award
Two major international honors recognizing contributions to literature and humanism.
Died of complications from myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myelogenous leukemia
Passed away in New York City on December 28, 2004; buried in Montparnasse Cemetery, Paris.
Posthumous publication: 'At the Same Time: Essays and Speeches'
Collected essays and speeches edited and published posthumously (2007).
Posthumous publication: 'Reborn: Journals and Notebooks 1947–1963'
Edited early journals released after her death, revealing formative years.
Sarajevo names Theatre Square after Susan Sontag (plaque posted)
City of Sarajevo officially posted a plate renaming Theatre Square in her honor (tribute for cultural and humanitarian work during the siege).
Posthumous publication: 'As Consciousness Is Harnessed to Flesh: Journals and Notebooks, 1964–1980'
Second volume of edited journals published in 2012.
Play 'Sontag: Reborn' staged at Under the Radar Festival
Dramatization of Sontag's early journals adapted and staged; later ran off-Broadway in 2013–2014.
Documentary 'Regarding Susan Sontag' released; Tribeca Special Jury Mention
Nancy Kates documentary premiered in 2014 and received Special Jury Mention for Best Documentary Feature at Tribeca.
Biopic in development (reported)
February 2023 report that Brouhaha Entertainment is producing a biopic directed by Kirsten Johnson, featuring Kristen Stewart as Sontag.
Posthumous publication: 'On Women' (edited volume)
Collection edited by David Rieff released in 2023, gathering Sontag's writings on women.
Crater on Mercury named after Susan Sontag
In November 2024, a crater on Mercury was named in her honor (posthumous scientific commemoration).
Key Achievement Ages
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