Robert Darnton

Robert Darnton is an American cultural historian and academic librarian who specializes in 18th-century France. He is known for his research on Enlightenment-era literature and the history of the book.

Robert Darnton received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University, and his Master's and Doctorate degrees in history from Oxford University. He has also taught at Princeton University.

Robert Darnton is currently the Carl H. Pforzheimer University Professor and Director of the Harvard University Library. He is responsible for overseeing one of the largest academic library systems in the world.

Some of Robert Darnton's notable works include "The Business of Enlightenment: A Publishing History of the Encyclopédie, 1775-1800," "The Great Cat Massacre and Other Episodes in French Cultural History," and "The Forbidden Best-Sellers of Prerevolutionary France."

Robert Darnton's research interests include the history of the book, the Enlightenment, intellectual and cultural history, and the social and cultural impact of print culture. He is particularly interested in studying how ideas and information were disseminated during the Enlightenment period.