Biography of Bruce Bennet Lawrence

Bruce Bennett Lawrence

“All my professional life,” Professor Bruce Bennett Lawrence states, “I have been involved in making religion, in general, and Islam, in particular, more accessible to various audiences outside the academy.”

Dr. Bruce Bennett Lawrence, the Nancy and Jeffrey Marcus Humanities Professor of Religion at Duke University, Professor of Islamic Studies, and the inaugural director of the Duke Islamic Studies Center, has dedicated his life to the scholarly pursuit of understanding Islam and Muslim societies. His work, characterized by disciplinary synergies across the Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, and Theology, includes notable monographs such as Islamic Civilization and Muslim Networks and collaborative research projects like Rethinking Islamic Studies: From Orientalism to Cosmopolitanism. These contributions exemplify scholarly rigor and methodological innovation, offering profound insights into the study of religion and Islamic studies specifically.

Early Life

Born on August 14, 1941, in Newton, New Jersey, USA, Dr. Lawrence comes from German descent. His father, Joseph Stagg Lawrence, a Hungarian immigrant to the US in 1902, overcame numerous challenges to become the first in his family to attend college. His father, a vehement critic of Keynesian economics, passed away at 54.

Education

Dr. Lawrence’s academic journey began at The Fay School and Phillips Exeter Academy, where he was drawn to Middle Eastern history. This interest led him to Princeton University, where he delved into Arabic and took a course in Islamic philosophy under Dr. James Kritzeck, who he recalls as an inspirational mentor. His scholarly passion deepened, leading him to pursue a Master’s degree at Episcopal Divinity School and later, a doctorate at Yale focusing on Islam and Hinduism from 1967 to 1972.

Language Skills

At Princeton, Dr. Lawrence studied Arabic and Turkish, adding Hebrew and Greek during his seminary years, and later Sanskrit and Syriac at Yale. His faculty position at Duke since 1971 allowed him to gain fluency in Persian and Urdu/Hindi, utilizing his knowledge of French and German academically.

Major Works

Dr. Lawrence has authored or co-authored nine books and edited or co-edited six others over his 37-year career. His works, such as Shattering the Myth: Islam Beyond Violence, have been critically acclaimed and translated into multiple languages, contributing significantly to the fields of Islam and public policy. His book, The Quran: A Biography, has been translated into 18 languages.

Founding of Islamic Studies Centers

In 1997, Dr. Lawrence and his colleagues founded the Carolina Duke-Emory Institute for the Study of Islam, one of the first of its kind in the country. It evolved into the Center for the Study of Muslim Networks and later the Duke Islamic Studies Center (DISC), offering unique educational programs and fostering global academic partnerships.

Views on Pluralism and Intercultural Conflict

Dr. Lawrence’s research extends beyond the academic portrayal of Islam, focusing on everyday Muslims and their communities. He is a vocal advocate for the study of religious minorities as secular citizens, exploring the nuances of multi-confessional nationalism and the challenges posed by the ‘war on terror’. His work emphasizes the importance of understanding indigenous minorities and the rich pluralism within several nation-states.

Legacy and Influence

Dr. Lawrence’s contributions to the academic world are widely recognized for their depth and breadth. His approach to Islamic studies, blending rigorous scholarship with a commitment to accessibility and intercultural understanding, has made a lasting impact on the field.

Respected by peers like Dr. Omid Safi, who praises his intellectual bravery, and Dr. Robert C. Gregg, who admires his expansive vision, Dr. Lawrence continues to influence both scholarship and broader discussions on Islam and intercultural relations. His legacy is one of bridging gaps between different cultures and promoting a deeper understanding of the complex global landscape.