Lennard Davis, professor of English in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, professor of disability and human development in the College of Applied Health Sciences, and professor of medical education in the College of Medicine, received a one-year Guggenheim Fellowship. Davis is one of 184 artists, scholars, and scientists chosen from more than 2,800 applicants.

He is using the fellowship to work on his forthcoming book, a history of obsession. The book looks at nineteeth century obsessions—medical, social, literary, and cultural.

"I am thrilled for the honor and the concentrated time I will have to work on my project, which is obsessing me at the moment."

Davis, who has been at UIC since 2000, is a prolific author and editor. His writings include a novel, a memoir, and nonfiction books on disability studies and the history and theory of the novel. He contributes articles to the New York Times, The Nation, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and the Chicago Tribune.