Richard Barsam


Richard Barsam, author and film historian, is Professor Emeritus of Film Studies at Hunter College of The City University of New York.

Early life and education

Barsam was born in Glendale, California. He attended the University of Southern California, earning a PhD degree in English literature in 1967. Concurrently, he was encouraged by two film professors to attend without credit film history and other courses in the USC School of Cinema, an experience that was to influence his further academic career significantly.

Career

In 1967, he joined the faculty of Richmond College, CUNY, where initially he taught courses both in English literature and film studies, eventually specializing exclusively in the latter.
Between 1984 and 1991, he held executive management positions at CUNY, including University Dean for Faculty and Research and University Dean for Executive Search and Evaluation. Between 1991 and 1992, he served as Provost of Pratt Institute.
In 1994, he resumed his teaching career as Professor of Film Studies at Hunter College, CUNY, and retired in 2001.

Selected publications

Barsam's partner of thirty-nine years was the art historian Edgar Munhall.