After a prestigious teaching internship in France, Dr. Gilles settled in the U.S. and pursued a Doctorate in Francophone Literature. He has been a lecturer in Creole and Francophone Studies at the University of Florida, and has taught French and Haitian Literature at Pace University, New York, and Kean University in New Jersey.
As a cultural historian, Dr. Gilles is very engaged with the practice of storytelling, and has explained how traditional stories reflect the myths and aspirations of the Haitian people. He also recognizes the potential of stories to promote inter-generational relationships.
Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Gilles has been a Consultant to Minister of National Education, Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Secretary General to Haitian Senate, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Professor Of Literature
While living in Haiti, he was a professor of literature at several universities and a cultural organizer of the Alliance Française de Jacmel. He has published “Jacmel, its Contribution to the History of Haiti, Tomes I, II and III;” as well as several novels, short stories, and essays.
Dr. Jean-Elie Gilles made his Haitian hometown in Jacmel, part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network.
Dr. Gilles Contribution To Haiti’s Artistic And Intellectual Life
Dr. Gilles has been involved with Haiti’s artistic and intellectual life since the beginning of his career, and has sought to convey its richness to academics and the broader community. Here is some of his work, ranging from rigorous scholarship to poetry and fiction:
- Souvenirs de Haïti-2010, a collection of over 2600 annotated images of people, art and architecture, and sites of interest in Haiti, (Including images after the earthquake of January 2010.), MS PowerPoint on CD, JENAIR Press, Richland, WA, 2010.
- Souvenirs de Haïti-2004, collection of over 600 annotated images of people, art and architecture, and sites of interest in Haiti, MS PowerPoint on CD. JENAIR Press, Richland, WA, 2004.
- Un Album de la Famille Jacmélienne de 1804 à 2004, Educa Vision, Coconut Grove, FL, 2004.
- Flamoiseau de Majel, a novel, JENAIR Press, Richland, WA, 2004
- Haiti’s Turbulent Past and the Rise of Three Literary Movements: Patriotism, Humanism,and Modernity, JENAIR Press, Richland, WA. 2002.
- Chansons de l’Encrier et du Piano (poems with music scores and English translation by Nancy Nelson) JENAIR Press, Richland, WA, 1998.
- Moments Ironiques Célèbres dans la Littérature Française, JENAIR Press, Richland, WA, 1997.
- Jacmel, Sa Contribution à l’Histoire d’Haïti, Tome I, Imp. Des Antilles, Haiti, 1996
- Sur les Pas de Diogène (19th century novel), Caxton Printers, Caldwell, ID, 1994
- Dialogue des Soupirs (poems), Caxton Printers, Caldwell, ID, 1993.
- Les Perles Enfouies de la Poésie Jacmelienne, (anthology of poetry) Imp. Des Antilles, Haiti, 1990.
