Teju Cole

Early Life and Background

Teju Cole was born on June 27, 1975, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. His early childhood was spent in the vibrant and bustling city of Lagos, Nigeria, where he was raised and educated. Growing up in Nigeria provided him with a profound understanding of the country's diverse cultures, complex social dynamics, and rich history, elements that would later permeate his literary and photographic works. At the age of seventeen, Cole made the significant move to the United States, a transition that marked a pivotal moment in his life and education, exposing him to new cultural landscapes and intellectual environments.

Education

Cole's academic journey reflects a multidisciplinary pursuit of knowledge across continents. After his relocation to the United States, he attended Kalamazoo College in Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature in 1996. His undergraduate studies laid a strong foundation for his future literary career, honing his analytical and expressive skills. Following his time at Kalamazoo, Cole continued his education in England, enrolling at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London. There, he pursued and completed a Master of Arts degree in African Art History, a field that broadened his understanding of visual culture and its historical contexts, directly influencing his later work as a photographer and art critic. Subsequently, he embarked on doctoral studies in art history at Columbia University in New York City, though he ultimately chose not to complete his Ph.D., redirecting his focus towards creative writing and photography.

Career

Teju Cole's career is remarkably multifaceted, spanning the domains of literature, photography, and academia. He first gained significant literary recognition with his novel, "Every Day is for the Thief," initially published in Nigeria in 2007 by Cassava Republic Press, and later released internationally in 2014 by Random House. The novel, a series of vignettes exploring contemporary Nigerian life through the eyes of a returning expatriate, showcased his keen observational skills and lyrical prose. His international breakthrough came with the publication of his second novel, "Open City," in 2011. This work, a meditative narrative following a Nigerian psychiatry resident wandering through New York City, garnered widespread critical acclaim for its philosophical depth, intricate structure, and exploration of themes such as identity, memory, and post-colonialism. "Open City" cemented his reputation as a major voice in contemporary literature.

Beyond fiction, Cole has established himself as a prominent essayist and critic. His essays, often blending personal reflection with incisive cultural and political commentary, have appeared in prestigious publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, Granta, and Transition. A collection of his essays, "Known and Strange Things," was published in 2016, further showcasing his intellectual breadth and stylistic versatility. From 2015 to 2019, Cole served as the photography critic for The New York Times Magazine, a role in which he profoundly influenced discourse on visual culture, challenging conventional notions of photography and its ethical implications. His columns were celebrated for their rigorous analysis and innovative approach.

Parallel to his writing career, Cole is an accomplished photographer whose work is deeply intertwined with his literary output. His photographic projects often explore themes similar to his writing, focusing on urban landscapes, the human condition, and the interplay between memory and perception. His book "Blind Spot" (2017) combines his photographs with accompanying texts, creating a unique hybrid form that blurs the lines between image and word, offering a profound meditation on seeing and being seen. His subsequent photographic work, "Fernweh" (2020), continued this exploration of vision and experience. He has exhibited his photography internationally, including at the International Center of Photography in New York and the Fondazione MAST in Bologna, Italy.

In academia, Cole has held significant positions, contributing to the education of future generations of writers and thinkers. He served as the Distinguished Writer in Residence at Bard College, where he also taught courses in literature and photography. In 2020, he was appointed the Richard L. Thomas Professor of Creative Writing at Harvard University, a testament to his influence and standing in the literary world. His academic roles allow him to engage deeply with students on creative practice, critical theory, and the intersections of art and social justice.

Major Achievements

Teju Cole's literary and artistic career is marked by numerous significant achievements and accolades. His novel "Open City" received the 2012 PEN/Hemingway Award, an annual prize for a distinguished first book of fiction by an American author. It also won the 2012 New York City Book Award for Fiction and the 2013 Internationaler Literaturpreis – Haus der Kulturen der Welt, a prestigious German literary award. The novel was additionally shortlisted for the 2011 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction and named one of the Best Books of the Year by The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist. "Every Day is for the Thief," though initially published in Nigeria, gained wider international recognition and critical praise upon its global release, establishing his early reputation.

His essay collection, "Known and Strange Things" (2016), was widely lauded for its intellectual rigor and diverse subject matter, ranging from literature and art to politics and human rights. As the photography critic for The New York Times Magazine, Cole significantly shaped contemporary discourse on photography, bringing a nuanced and ethically conscious perspective to the medium. His photographic book, "Blind Spot" (2017), which intertwines images and text, was celebrated for its innovative form and profound exploration of perception, earning him a place among leading contemporary photo-text artists. He was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2020, recognizing his exceptional creative abilities and significant contributions to the arts. His most recent collection of essays, "Golden Apple of the Sun," was published in 2023, continuing his exploration of complex cultural and political themes.

Personal Life

Teju Cole maintains a relatively private personal life, primarily focusing public attention on his artistic and intellectual endeavors. He is married to Joanna Cole and resides in Brooklyn, New York, a city that has served as a backdrop for much of his literary and photographic work, particularly "Open City." While he frequently travels for research, lectures, and exhibitions, his home base in New York City remains a significant cultural and intellectual hub for his creative output. Cole is known for his active presence on social media, particularly Twitter, where he engages in discussions on current events, politics, and art, often sharing his photographs and critical insights with a broad audience.

Legacy

Teju Cole's legacy is characterized by his pioneering approach to storytelling and visual art, seamlessly blending genres and disciplines. He has profoundly influenced contemporary literature and photography through his distinctive voice, which is at once meditative, intellectually rigorous, and deeply empathetic. His work consistently challenges readers and viewers to engage critically with history, identity, and the ethical dimensions of representation. Cole's exploration of the Nigerian-American experience, and more broadly, the complexities of migration and globalism, offers invaluable insights into the modern human condition. As a public intellectual, his critical essays and commentaries have fostered important dialogues on topics ranging from human rights and racial justice to the politics of photography and the role of art in society. Through his acclaimed books, impactful photography, and influential academic positions, Teju Cole has established himself as a crucial figure whose work will continue to inspire and provoke thought for generations to come, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape.