Bio


Andrea Nightingale has worked primarily on Greek and Roman philosophy and literature. She has also written on the philosophy and literature of ecology (in the modern and postmodern periods). She has been awarded a fellowship at the Stanford Humanities Center, an ACLS Fellowship, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. She is a Harvard Senior Fellow for the Hellenic Center (2010-2014). Her publications include Genres in Dialogue: Plato and the Construct of Philosophy (Cambridge University Press); Spectacles of Truth: Theoria in its Cultural Context (Cambridge University Press); and Once out of Nature: Augustine on Time and the Body (University of Chicago Press). She has also co-edited (with David Sedley) Ancient Models of Mind: Studies in Human and Divine Rationality (Cambridge University Press). She has done three hourlong shows on Robert Harrison's radio show, "Entitled Opinions," on Epicurus, Plato, and Melville's Moby Dick.

Academic Appointments


  • Emeritus (Active) Professor, Classics

Administrative Appointments


  • Professor of Classics, Stanford University, Classics Department (1989 - Present)
  • Promoted to Full Professor of Classics and Comparative Literature, Stanford University (2004 - 2004)
  • Appointed in the Department of Comparative Literature, Stanford university (1998 - 1998)
  • Promoted to Associate Professor of Classics, Stanford University (1997 - 1997)
  • Instructor and T.A., University of California at Berkeley (1987 - 1987)
  • Instructor and T.A., University of California at Berkeley (1989 - 1989)

Honors & Awards


  • Senior Fellow of the Hellenic Center, Harvard University (2009 - 2013)
  • Stanford Fellow, Stanford University (2004 - 2006)
  • Fellowship, The Guggenheim Foundation (2000 - 2001)
  • Fellowship, American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) (2000 - 2001)
  • Gordon and Dailey Pattee Faculty Fellowship, Stanford University (1999 - 2000)
  • Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Stanford University (1996 - 1997)
  • Hume Research Fellowship, Stanford University (1994)
  • Fellowship, Stanford Humanities Center (1992 - 1993)
  • Regents Fellowship, University of California, Berkeley (1987 - 1988)
  • Dissertation fellowship, University of California, Berkeley (1987 - 1988)
  • Hesperian Award for graduate work, University of California, Berkeley (1985 - 1987)
  • Tutorial prize in Classics, Magdalen College, Oxford University (1984)
  • Marshall Scholarship, Oxford University (1982 - 1984)
  • Dante Prize, Dante Society for my paper, "Dante's Earthly Paradise: An Anti-Pastoral" (1981)
  • Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Beta Kappa Society (1981)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations


  • Member of the Editorial Board, American Journal of Philology (2013 - 2014)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, Societies (2013 - 2014)
  • Harvard Senior Fellow, Center of Hellenic Studies (2012 - 2013)
  • Member of Undergraduate Committee in Classics, Stanford University (2012 - 2013)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, American Journal of Philology (2012 - 2013)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, Societies (2012 - 2013)
  • Harvard Senior Fellow, Center of Hellenic Studies (2011 - 2012)
  • Reviewer for the Lurcy, Pigott and Kwok Fellowships, Stanford University (2011 - 2012)
  • Screener for the Classics Applications for the Humanities, Stanford University (2011 - 2012)
  • Member of the Undergraduate Committee in Classics, Stanford University (2011 - 2012)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, American Journal of Philology (2011 - 2012)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, Societies (2011 - 2012)
  • Harvard Senior Fellow, Center for Hellenic Studies (2010 - 2011)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, American Journal of Philology (2010 - 2011)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, Societies (2010 - 2011)
  • Member of the Workshop Selection Committee for the Stanford Humanities Center, Stanford University (2010 - 2011)
  • Member of the Steering Committee for the Philosophy and Literature Program, Stanford University (2010 - 2011)
  • Member of the Philosophical Reading Group (PRG), Stanford University (2010 - 2011)
  • Harvard Senior Fellow, Center of Hellenic Studies (2009 - 2010)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, American Journal of Philology (2009 - 2010)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, Societies (2009 - 2010)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (2009 - 2010)
  • Member of the Committee for the Philosophy and Literature Program, Stanford University (2009 - 2010)
  • Member of the Committee for the Promotion of Natasha Peponi, Stanford University (2009 - 2010)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, American Journal of Philology (2008 - 2009)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, American Journal of Philology (2007 - 2008)
  • Director of Undergraduate Studies, Comparative Literature Department, Stanford University (2007 - 2008)
  • Chair of the Curriculum Committee, Comparative Literature Department, Stanford University (2007 - 2008)
  • Member of the Undergraduate Affairs Committee for the Division of Language, Culture, and Literature, Stanford University (2007 - 2008)
  • Member of the Committee for the Philosophy and Literature Program, Stanford University (2007 - 2008)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (2007 - 2008)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Comparative Literature, Stanford University (2007 - 2008)
  • Member of the Committee for the Jewish Studies Search, Stanford University (2007 - 2008)
  • Screener for the Stanford Humanities Center Applications, Stanford University (2007 - 2008)
  • Member of the Philosophical Reading Group, Stanford University (2007 - 2008)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, American Journal of Philology (2006 - 2007)
  • Member of the Program Committee, American Philosophical Association (Eastern Division) (2006 - 2007)
  • Member of Graduate Committee, Classics Department, Stanford University (2006 - 2007)
  • Chair of the Curriculum Committee, Comparative Literature Department, Stanford University (2006 - 2007)
  • Member of the Committee for the Philosophy and Literature Program, Stanford University (2006 - 2007)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (2006 - 2007)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Comparative Literature, Stanford University (2006 - 2007)
  • Member of the Philosophical Reading Group, Stanford University (2006 - 2007)
  • Screener for Stanford Humanities Center Applications, Stanford University (2006 - 2007)
  • Sophomore Mentor, Stanford University (2006 - 2007)
  • Reader/Reviewer, American Council of Learned Societies Fellowship Program Selection Committee (2005 - 2006)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, American Journal of Philology (2005 - 2006)
  • Member of the Program Committee, American Philosophical Association (Eastern Division) (2005 - 2006)
  • Substitute for the Appointments and Promotions Committee, Stanford University (2005 - 2006)
  • Member of Graduate Committee, Classics Department, Stanford University (2005 - 2006)
  • Chair of the Curriculum Committee, Comparative Literature Department, Stanford University (2005 - 2006)
  • Member of the Committee for the Philosophy and Literature Program, Stanford University (2005 - 2006)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (2005 - 2006)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Comparative Literature, Stanford University (2005 - 2006)
  • Member of the Philosophical Reading Group, Stanford University (2005 - 2006)
  • Sophomore Mentor, Stanford University (2005 - 2006)
  • Reader/Reviewer, American Council of Learned Societies Fellowship Program Selection Committee (2004 - 2005)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, American Journal of Philology (2004 - 2005)
  • Member of Committee for Oversight of the Ethical Reasoning Subarea, Stanford University (2004 - 2005)
  • Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Philosophy and Literature Program, Stanford University (2004 - 2004)
  • Member of Graduate Committee, Classics Department, Stanford University (2004 - 2005)
  • Member of the Curriculum Committee, Comparative Literature Department, Stanford University (2004 - 2005)
  • Member of the Advisory Board for “Stanford General Books,” Stanford University Press, Stanford University (2004 - 2005)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (2004 - 2005)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Comparative Literature, Stanford University (2004 - 2005)
  • Member of Search for Latinist in the Department of Classics, Stanford University (2004 - 2005)
  • Substitute for the Appointments and Promotions Committee, Stanford University (2004 - 2005)
  • Member of the Philosophical Reading Group, Stanford University (2004 - 2005)
  • Reviewer, American Council of Learned Societies Fellowship Program Selection Committee (2003 - 2004)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, American Journal of Philology (2003 - 2004)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, Stanford University Press, Stanford University (2003 - 2004)
  • Member of the Advisory Board for "Stanford General Books" (The General Interest Imprint at Stanford University Press), Stanford University (2003 - 2004)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (2003 - 2004)
  • Member of the Philosophical Reading Group, Stanford University (2003 - 2004)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, American Journal of Philology (2002 - 2003)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, Stanford University Press, Stanford University (2002 - 2003)
  • Member of the Advisory Board for "Stanford General Books" (The General Interest Imprint at Stanford University Press), Stanford University (2002 - 2003)
  • Member of the Graduate Committee, Classics Department, Stanford University (2002 - 2003)
  • Member of Search Committee, Classics (open search in Latin Literature), Stanford University (2002 - 2003)
  • Member of Committee for Graduate Admissions (Classics), Stanford University (2002 - 2003)
  • Member of Committee for Graduate Admissions (Comparative Literature), Stanford University (2002 - 2003)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, American Journal of Philology (2001 - 2002)
  • Member of Search Committee, Classics (search for a Greek Historian), Stanford University (2001 - 2002)
  • Member of year-long seminar/conference on science and religion ("Becoming Human"), Stanford University (2001 - 2002)
  • Member of Committee for Graduate Admissions (Classics), Stanford University (2001 - 2002)
  • Member of Committee for Graduate Admissions (Comparative Literature), Stanford University (2001 - 2002)
  • Member of the Editorial Board, American Journal of Philology (2000 - 2001)
  • Director in the Honors College for the Division of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages, Stanford University (1999 - 1999)
  • Member of the Editorial Board for Stanford University Press, Stanford University (1999 - 2000)
  • Director of Graduate Studies, Classics Department, Stanford University (1999 - 2000)
  • Member of Search Committee, Classics (search for a Junior Latinist), Stanford University (1999 - 2000)
  • Member of the Selection Committee for the Rubidge Prize (a dissertation prize in the Department of Comparative Literature), Stanford University (1999 - 2000)
  • Chair of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (1999 - 2000)
  • Director of Graduate Studies, Classics Department, Stanford University (1998 - 1999)
  • Member of Selection Committee for OTL Grants, Stanford University (1998 - 1999)
  • Member of Subcommittee on Student Housing and Residential Education, Stanford University (1998 - 1999)
  • Member of Committee for the Humanities Honors Program, Stanford University (1998 - 1999)
  • Member of Search Committee, Classics and Philosophy (search for a scholar in Ancient Science/Medicine/Mathematics), Stanford University (1998 - 1999)
  • Member of Search Committee, Classics (search for a Junior Latinist), Stanford University (1998 - 1999)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Comparative Literature Department, Stanford University (1998 - 1999)
  • Chair of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (1998 - 1999)
  • Member of the Dean’s Task Force for Women and Minorities, Stanford University (1997 - 1998)
  • External Member of Search Committee in the English Department, Stanford University (1997 - 1998)
  • Member of Committee for the Humanities Honors Program, Stanford University (1997 - 1998)
  • Director of Graduate Studies, Classics Department, Stanford University (1997 - 1998)
  • Chair of Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (1997 - 1998)
  • Member of Search Committee, Classics (search for a senior Hellenist), Stanford University (1997 - 1998)
  • Member of Search Committee, Classics (search for a senior archaeologist), Stanford University (1997 - 1998)
  • Director of Undergraduate Studies, Classics Department, Stanford University (1996 - 1997)
  • Member of the Committee for the Humanities Honors Program, Stanford University (1996 - 1997)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (1997 - 1997)
  • Member of Search Committee, Classics (search for senior Latinist), Stanford University (1996 - 1997)
  • Member of the Regional Selection Committee for the Mabelle McLeod Lewis Fellowship, Stanford University (1995 - 1996)
  • Director of Undergraduate Studies, Classics Department, Stanford University (1995 - 1996)
  • Member of Search Committee in Classics (junior position in Latin/Near Eastern), Stanford University (1995 - 1996)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (1996 - 1996)
  • Member of the Search Commitee for the Director, Stanford Humanities Center (1994 - 1995)
  • Director of Undergraduate Studies, Classics Department, Stanford University (1994 - 1995)
  • Member of the Committee for the Humanities Honors Program, Stanford University (1994 - 1995)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (1995 - 1995)
  • Member of the Selection Committee for the Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship, Stanford University (1994 - 1994)
  • Director of Undergraduate Studies, Classics Department, Stanford University (1993 - 1994)
  • Member of the Committee for the Humanities Honors Program, Stanford University (1993 - 1994)
  • Member of Search Committee in Classics (Greek History), Stanford University (1993 - 1994)
  • Member of Search Committee in Classics (Latin Literature), Stanford University (1993 - 1994)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (1994 - 1994)
  • Chair of the Undergraduate Committee in Classics, Stanford University (1991 - 1992)
  • Member of the Committee for the Humanities Honors Program, Stanford University (1991 - 1992)
  • Member of Search Committee in Classics (Greek History), Stanford University (1991 - 1992)
  • Member of Search Committee in Classics (Greek Literature, 2-year position), Stanford University (1991 - 1993)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics, Stanford University (1991 - 1991)
  • Chair of the Undergraduate Committee in Classics, Stanford University (1990 - 1991)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Department of Comparative Literature, Stanford University (1990 - 1990)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (1990 - 1991)
  • Member of Search Committee in Classics (Greek Literature), Stanford University (1990 - 1991)
  • Member of Search Committee in Classics (Latin Literature), Stanford University (1990 - 1991)
  • Guest lecture for “Great Works” CIV course, Stanford University (1990 - 1990)
  • Guest lecture for “Structured Liberal Education, Stanford University (1990 - 1990)
  • Minority mentor, Stanford University (1990 - 1991)
  • Member of Search Committee in Classics (junior position in Greek Literature), Stanford University (1989 - 1990)
  • Member of the Committee for Graduate Admissions, Classics Department, Stanford University (1990 - 1990)

Professional Education


  • B.A., Stanford University, Classics (1981)
  • B.A. (=M.A.), Oxford University, Magdalen College, Classics (1984)
  • M.A., University of California at Berkeley, Classics (1984)
  • Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley, Classics (1990)

Current Research and Scholarly Interests


I am completing a book entitled "Eros and Epiphany: Plato on the Soul's Ascent to Divine Beings"

Stanford Advisees


  • Doctoral Dissertation Reader (AC)
    Hyunjip Kim
  • Doctoral Dissertation Advisor (AC)
    Brandon Bark

All Publications


  • Divine Epiphany and Pious Discourse in Plato's Phaedrus ARION-A JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND THE CLASSICS Nightingale, A. 2018; 26 (1): 61–94
  • The "I" and "Not I" in Augustine's Confessions ARION-A JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND THE CLASSICS Nightingale, A. 2015; 23 (1): 55-77
  • The Orphaned Word: The Pharmakon of Forgetfulness in Plato's Laws The City Dancing: Performance and Culture in Plato's Laws Nightingale, A. W. edited by Peponi, A. E. Cambridge University Press. 2013: 243–64
  • Homecoming and the Humic: Eleanor Wilner, Brian Jungen, and Derek Walcott ARION-A JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND THE CLASSICS Nightingale, A. 2012; 19 (3): 11-26
  • Drama and Plato’s Dialogues The Continuum Companion to Plato Nightingale, A. W. edited by Press, G. Continuum International Publishing Group. 2011: 105–6
  • Once out of Nature: Augustine on Time and the Body Nightingale, A. W. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 2011
  • Plato on Aporia and Self-Knowledge Ancient Models of Mind: Studies in Human and Divine Rationality Nightingale, A. W. edited by Nightingale, A., Sedley, D. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2010: 8–26
  • Ancient Models of Mind: Studies in Human and Divine Rationality edited by Nightingale, A., Sedley, D. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2010
  • Spectacles of Truth in Classical Greek Philosophy: Theoria in its Cultural Context Nightingale, A. W. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2009
  • Broken Knowledge The Re-Enchantment of the World Nightingale, A. W. edited by Landy, J., Saler, M. Stanford: Stanford University Press. 2009: 15–37
  • Auto-Hagiography: Augustine and Thoreau ARION-A JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND THE CLASSICS Nightingale, A. 2008; 16 (2): 97-134
  • Greco-Roman Poetics, Art and Aesthetics The Humanities at Work: International Exchange of Ideas in Aesthetics, Philosophy and Literature Nightingale, A. W. edited by Aryal, Y. Sunlight Publication, Kathmandu, Nepal. 2008: 284–303
  • Night-vision: Epicurean eschatology ARION-A JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND THE CLASSICS Nightingale, A. 2007; 14 (3): 61-98
  • Some Thoughts on the Physics of Presence Producing Presences. Branching Out From Gumbrecht's Work Nightingale, A. W. edited by Mendes, V., de Castro Rocha, J. C. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. 2007: 73–83
  • The Presocratic Philosophers in Archaic Greek Culture The Cambridge Companion to Archaic Greece Nightingale, A. W. edited by Shapiro, A. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2007: 169–198
  • Towards an Art of Dwelling Responsibility Nightingale, A. W. edited by Darling-Smith, B. Harper and Row: Lexington Books. 2007: 161–177
  • The Philosopher at the Festival: Plato’s Transformation of Traditional Theoria Seeing the Gods: Pilgrimage in Greco-Roman and Early Christian Antiquity Nightingale, A. W. edited by Elsner, J., Rutherford, I. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2005: 151–180
  • Mimesis: Ancient Greek Literary Theory The Theory and Practice of Literary Criticism: An Oxford Guide Nightingale, A. W. edited by Waugh, P. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2005: 37–47
  • Spectacles of Truth in Classical Greek Philosophy: Theoria in its Cultural Context Nightingale, A. W. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2004
  • Distant Views: Realistic and Fantastic Mimesis in Plato New Perspectives on Plato, Modern and Ancient Nightingale, A. W. edited by Annas, J., Rowe, C. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. 2002: 227–247
  • Subtext and Subterfuge in Plato’s Cratylus Plato as Author Nightingale, A. W. edited by Michelini, A. Leiden: E. J. Brill. 2002: 223–240
  • On wandering and wondering: Theoria in Greek philosophy and culture ARION-A JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND THE CLASSICS Nightingale, A. W. 2001; 9 (2): 23-58
  • Liberal Education in Plato’s Republic and Aristotle’s Politics Education in Greek and Roman Antiquity Nightingale, A. W. edited by Too, Y. L. Leiden: E.J. Brill. 2001: 133–173
  • Useless Knowledge’? Greek Theoria and the Wonders of Wisdom Occasional Lecture Nightingale, A. W. 2001: 1-27
  • Liberal Education in Plato’s Republic and Aristotle’s Politics Education in Greek and Roman Antiquity Nightingale, A. W. edited by Too, Y. L. Berkeley: University of California Press. 2001
  • On Wondering and Wandering: Theoria in Greek Philosophy and Culture Arion Nightingale, A. W. 2001; 9: 111-146
  • Reading/Writing a Sacred Text: A Literary Interpretation of Plato’s Laws Greek Literature Nightingale, A. W. edited by Nagy, G. Routledge. 2001: 1–22
  • Towards an Ecological Eschatology: Plato and Bakhtin on Other Worlds and Times Bakhtin and the Classics Nightingale, A. W. edited by Branham, B. Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University Press. 2001: 221–249
  • Sages, Sophists, and Philosophers: Greek Wisdom Literature Literature in the Greek and Roman Worlds: A New Perspective Nightingale, A. W. edited by Taplin, O. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2000: 156–91
  • Plato's lawcode in context: Rule by written law in Athens and Magnesia CLASSICAL QUARTERLY Nightingale, A. W. 1999; 49 (1): 100-122
  • Genres in Dialogue: Plato and the Construct of Philosophy Nightingale, A. W. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1999
  • Historiography and Cosmology in Plato’s Laws Ancient Philosophy Nightingale, A. W. 1999; 19: 299-326
  • Plato’s Law Code in Context: Rule by Written Law in Athens and Magnesia Classical Quarterly Nightingale, A. W. 1999; 49: 100-122
  • Genres in Dialogue: Plato and the Construct of Philosophy Nightingale, A. W. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1997
  • Aristotle on the ‘Liberal’ and ‘Illiberal’ Arts Proceedings of The Boston Area Colloquium in Ancient Philosophy Nightingale, A. W. 1996: 29–58, 69–70
  • Plato on the Origins of Evil: The Statesman Myth Reconsidered Ancient Philosophy Nightingale, A. W. 1996; 16: 65-91
  • Genres in Dialogue: Plato and the Construct of Philosophy Nightingale, A. W. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1995
  • WRITING READING A SACRED TEXT - A LITERARY INTERPRETATION OF PLATO 'LAWS' CLASSICAL PHILOLOGY Nightingale, A. 1993; 88 (4): 279-300
  • THE FOLLY OF PRAISE - PLATO CRITIQUE OF ENCOMIASTIC DISCOURSE IN THE 'LYSIS' AND 'SYMPOSIUM' CLASSICAL QUARTERLY Nightingale, A. W. 1993; 43 (1): 112-130
  • PLATO 'GORGIAS' AND EURIPIDES 'ANTIOPE', A STUDY IN GENERIC TRANSFORMATION CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY Nightingale, A. W. 1992; 11 (1): 121-141