Origins & Early Life

Joseph-Achille Mbembe (; born 1957) is a Cameroonian historian and political theorist who is a research professor in history and politics at the Wits Institute for Social and Economy Research at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. He is well known for his writings on colonialism and being a leading figure in new wave French critical theory. Mbembe was born near Otélé in Cameroon in 1957. He obtained his Ph.D.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

in history at the University of Sorbonne in Paris, France, in 1989. He subsequently obtained a D.E.A. in political science at the Instituts d'études politiques in the same city. He has held appointments (none for more than four years) at Columbia University in New York, Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., University of Pennsylvania, University of California, Berkeley, Yale University, Duke University and Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) in Dakar, Senegal. Mbembe was assistant professor of history at Columbia University, New York, from 1988 to 1991, a senior research fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., from 1991 to 1992, associate professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aga Khan III — Contemporary (Died in 1957) (1957): 48th Imam of the Nizari Isma'ili community and founder of the All-India Muslim League.
• Albert Anastasia — Contemporary (Died in 1957) (1957): Italian-American mob boss, co-founder of Murder, Inc., and boss of the Gambino crime family.
• Aliko Dangote — Contemporary (Born in 1957) (1957): Nigerian billionaire founder of Dangote Group, a major industrial conglomerate.
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Shared historical date (07-27 · Died) (2015): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Alex Rodriguez — Shared historical date (07-27 · Born) (1975): Legendary former MLB star, A-Rod, transitioned into a powerful sports and business mogul.
• Arturo Toscanini — Historical peer (Died in 1957) (1957): Intense Italian conductor, master of orchestral detail, and pivotal figure in 20th-century music.
• Beniamino Gigli — Historical peer (Died in 1957) (1957): Iconic Italian lyric tenor, celebrated for his powerful and emotive vocal artistry.
• A. J. Ayer — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Adnan Khayr Allah — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Iraqi military officer and Minister of Defense, closely associated with the Ba'ath regime.
• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Historical peer (Died in 1988) (1988): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• 1957 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1957
• July 27 (07-27) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 27