John H. Johnston

Professor John H. Johnston, 77, died on January 29, 2025 after a long illness. Born on October 21, 1947, he was a resident of the Atlanta metro area for much of his professional life, but had recently moved into managed care in Eugene, Oregon, nearby to his son Ben.

As a young man growing up in Pompano Beach, Florida, he enjoyed exploring the coast in his boat. He was an athlete, but turned down a football scholarship in favor of an intellectual life. Dr. Johnston received a B.A. in English and American Literature from Florida State University in 1977, an M.A. in English Literature from Brooklyn College in 1977, an M. Phil. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University in 1979, and a Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University in 1984.

In his early career, John was a translator of works by theorists such as Jean Baudrillard, Michel Foucault, Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari for the Semiotext(e) Foreign Agent Series, and published interviews with theorists of postmodern theory and culture.

Professor Johnston taught at Emory University in Atlanta, retiring as a Full Professor of English and Comparative Literature in August 2024. He co-founded the Department of Comparative Literature, taught undergraduate and graduate courses, directed dissertations, and served on several committees. He was a visiting professor at the University of California at Los Angeles and at the Université Charles-de-Gaulle (Lille III) in France.

His publications include The Allure of Machinic Life: Cybernetics, Artificial Life, and the New AI (2008), Information Multiplicity: American Fiction in the Age of Media Saturation (1998), Carnival of Repetition: William Gaddis' The Recognitions and Postmodern Theory (1990), and (Editor/Translator) Literature, Media, Information System: Essays by Friedrich A. Kittler (1997). In addition to publishing numerous academic articles and conference papers (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/John-Johnston), Professor Johnston had an interest in postmodern art and media, and contributed art-catalog essays on current exhibitions.

John was a very loving father, and enjoyed playing tennis.

He is survived by son Ben [August] Johnston (via former spouse Heidi Nordberg), son Evan Johnston (via former spouse Paula Peatross), brother Tom [Pam] Johnston, half-brother Steve [Pat] Johnston, brother-in-law John Ehrhardt, and nephews and their families, including J.T. [Tonya] Ehrhardt and Lance [Anna] Ehrhardt. He is predeceased by sister Laura [Johnston] Ehrhardt and his parents, Mary Evans Voss Johnston and John Harvey Johnston.

A private memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please support and defend intellectual freedom, creative expression, and higher education.