On This Day in 1933

Adjectives—fearless, cynical and provocative among them—come thick and fast when describing Susan Sontag, the essayist and novelist who rarely failed to create controversy with her outspoken opinions on subjects from 9/11 to the Sarajevo siege. After studying at Harvard, Oxford and the University of Paris she wrote her breakthrough essay, “Against Interpretation,” in 1966. This prickly tract, which took critical analysis to task for ruining great works of art, immediately drew the attention of New York elites including Woody Allen and Arthur Danto, who then sought out her acquaintance. Considered the dark lady of American Intellectuals, she is best remembered for her collection of essays “On Photography” (1977). She was born on this day in 1933.