The literary genius who only speaks language of success
AN ACADEMIC has proved her genius by becoming the first ever person to scoop all four major international language research prizes.
Rebecca Sugden, 28, from Macclesfield, was named winner of the Larry Schehr Memorial Award for the best work in the field by an earlycareer researcher.
Previously she won the other
has three major prizes in foreign language literary criticism.
These are the Society of Dix-Neuviémistes’ Publication Prize, the Naomi Schor Memorial Award and the Society of Dix-Neuviémistes’ Postgraduate Prize.
Rebecca said: “I’m interested in the ways in which literature can be used as a tool for historical analysis, providing an alternative perspective on historical events.
“I love working in academia and very much want to continue my career but top jobs come along very rarely.
“Though I have to say I would love the chance to work in North America.”
Rebecca, who now lives in Cambridge, specialises in literary criticism and advanced language skills.
She attended the King’s School where - unsurprisingly - she achieved 10 A* GCSEs and four As in her A-levels.
She then got a first in her degree in French and Spanish from Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, before completing a masters in European literature.
There was also a successful PHd and she is now a research fellow at Cambridge University’s Gonville and Caius College.
Here she combines writing literary critiques on 19th century French novels with teaching at BA and MA levels - to award-winning effect.
Rebecca said: “I remember my school days at King’s and living in Macclesfield with immense fondness.
“And I want to say a big thank you in particular to Gill Green and the current head of modern foreign languages, Ian Dalgleish, who were both incredibly knowledgeable and supportive.”
Rebecca’s dad John is a governor at the school and a former back row forward for Macclesfield Rugby Club.
He said: “Both (her mum) Kay and I are at a loss to know where she gets her brains from, but we could not be more proud and pleased.”