Origins & Early Life

Susan Lee Sontag (; January 16, 1933 – December 28, 2004) was an American writer and critic. She primarily wrote essays, but also published novels; she published her first major work, the essay "Notes on 'Camp' ", in 1964. Her best-known works include the critical works Against Interpretation (1966), On Photography (1977), Illness as Metaphor (1978) and Regarding the Pain of Others (2003), the short story "The Way We Live Now" (1986) and the novels The Volcano Lover (1992) and In America (1999). Sontag was active in writing and speaking about, or traveling to, areas of conflict, including during the Vietnam War and the Siege of Sarajevo.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

She wrote extensively about literature, cinema, photography and media, illness, war, human rights, and left-wing politics. Her essays and speeches drew backlash and controversy, and she has been called "one of the most influential critics of her generation". Sontag was born Susan Rosenblatt in New York City, the daughter of Mildred (née Jacobson) and Jack Rosenblatt, both Jews of Lithuanian and Polish descent. Her father managed a fur trading business in Tianjin, China, where he died of tuberculosis in 1939, when Susan...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• 13th Dalai Lama — Contemporary (Died in 1933) (1933): Spiritual leader of Tibet who championed national independence and modernization.
• Adolph Caesar — Contemporary (Born in 1933) (1933): Acclaimed American actor known for his deep voice and Off-Broadway staple status.
• Akihito — Contemporary (Born in 1933) (1933): 125th Emperor of Japan; reigned during the Heisei era (1989-2019).
• A. A. K. Niazi — Contemporary (Died in 2004) (2004): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• Christopher Reeve — Contemporary (Died in 2004) (2004): Esteemed actor and tireless advocate for disability rights.
• Daniel J. Boorstin — Contemporary (Died in 2004) (2004): Influential American historian, Librarian of Congress, and proponent of consensus history.
• Aaliyah — Shared historical date (01-16 · Born) (1979): Pioneering R&B artist known for redefining urban pop and hip hop sounds.
• Alexander Knox — Shared historical date (01-16 · Born) (1907): Esteemed Canadian actor and writer, known for dramatic roles and literary contributions.
• Ante Pavelić — Shared historical date (12-28 · Died) (1959): Croatian politician and dictator of the Independent State of Croatia (1941-1945)
• Armando Manzanero — Shared historical date (12-28 · Died) (2020): Mexican composer and singer, celebrated for defining the romantic sound of postwar Latin America.
• 1933 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1933
• January 16 (01-16) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 16
• 2004 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2004
• December 28 (12-28) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 28