Contents
Judith Butler
Developing the theory of gender performativity in Gender Trouble.
Gender Trouble · Bodies That Matter
- Born
- 24 February 1956
- Birthplace
- Cleveland, United States
More people
Judith Butler
Judith Butler is an American philosopher whose writing has influenced feminism and queer theory. Their later work addresses ethics, political violence and the conditions of liveable lives.
Early life
Early philosophy
Began discussing philosophical and ethical questions in classes during their teenage years.
Yale
Studied philosophy and completed a doctorate in 1984.
Career
- 1980s
Academic career
Taught at several universities while developing work in continental philosophy.
- 1990
Gender Trouble
Published the book that made their work widely influential.
- 1993
Berkeley
Joined the University of California faculty.
- 2020
Professional leadership
Served as president of the Modern Language Association.
Selected work
Gender Trouble
Examined how repeated social acts help constitute gender.
Bodies That Matter
Extended the argument to the relationship between bodies, language and power.
The Force of Nonviolence
Explored the ethical and political case for nonviolence.
Beyond work
Family
Shares a family with political theorist Wendy Brown.
Rights advocacy
Has worked with human-rights organisations, including the Center for Constitutional Rights.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗UC Berkeley research biography ↗Photo: University of California, Berkeley. CC0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
