American professor and translator of Japanese literature (1938–2012)
Karen Brazell (April 25, 1938– January 18, 2012) was an American professor and translator of Japanese literature. Her English language edition of "The Confessions of Lady Nijō" won a U.S. National Book Award in category Translation. She died in 2012 at the age of 73.
Education.
Brazell received both her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Michigan. She later earned her PhD from Columbia University in 1969.
Career.
Brazell spent the bulk of her teaching career as Goldwin Smith Professor Emeritus of Japanese Literature and Theatre at Cornell University. While at Cornell, she chaired the Department of Asian Studies (1977–82) and founded the doctoral program in Japanese studies. She was director of the East Asia Program from 1987–1991. Brazell served on the Cornell Board of Trustees from 1979–1983.
Brazell was also a visiting professor at University of California-Berkeley, Columbia University, Singapore National University, the National Institute of Japanese Literature in Tokyo and the Kyoto Center for Japanese Studies.
She was founder of the Global Performing Arts Consortium and served as its first director.
References.
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