| Richard Barsam | |
| Birth Date: | 1938 |
| Birth Place: | Glendale, California, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Known For: | Film historian, author |
| Training: | University of Southern California |
Richard Barsam (born 8 November 1938), author and film historian, is Professor Emeritus of Film Studies at Hunter College of The City University of New York (CUNY).[1]
Barsam was born in Glendale, California. He attended the University of Southern California, earning a PhD degree in English literature in 1967.[2] Concurrently, he was encouraged by two film professors (Arthur Knight and Richard Dyer MacCann) to attend without credit film history and other courses in the USC School of Cinema (now the School of Cinematic Arts), an experience that was to influence his further academic career significantly.
In 1967, he joined the faculty of Richmond College, CUNY, where initially he taught courses both in English literature and film studies, eventually specializing exclusively in the latter. Between 1984 and 1991, he held executive management positions at CUNY, including University Dean for Faculty and Research and University Dean for Executive Search and Evaluation. Between 1991 and 1992, he served as Provost of Pratt Institute.
In 1994, he resumed his teaching career as Professor of Film Studies at Hunter College, CUNY, and retired in 2001.
Barsam's partner of thirty-nine years was the art historian Edgar Munhall.