Dr. Jean Elie Gilles

Dr. Jean-Elie Gilles holds a Doctorate in Francophone Literature from the University of Washington. He is a former Secretary General of the Haitian Senate (2006–2008) and currently serves as the Rector of the Université Publique du Sud-Est (UPSEJ) in Jacmel. Dr. Gilles is the acclaimed author of several works, including novels, poetry collections, short stories, and notably the trilogy Jacmel, sa Contribution à l’Histoire d’Haïti (three volumes). He also published Les Perles Enfouies de la Poésie Jacmélienne, an anthology celebrating the rich poetic traditions of his native city. A scholar deeply interested in history and world literatures, Dr. Gilles focuses his research on the evolution of Haitian literary identity through European philosophical concepts, as explored in his major academic work:
Patriotism, Humanism, and Modernity: Three European Concepts in the Service of Haitian Literature from the 19th to the 20th Century.