Roland Barthes

(1915 - 1980)

French essayist and social and literary critic whose main interest was writing on semiotics, the formal study of symbols and signs.  Barthes’ work covered many field of literary theory: structuralism, existentialism semiotics, Marxism), and notably, post-structuralism.

Jacques Derrida

(1930 – 2004)

A French-Algerian born post-structuralist, Derrida is considered the founder of post-structuralism.  His essay, "Structure, Sign, and Play in the Discourse of the Human Sciences” is considered the major precursor to post-structuralist thought.

Michel Foucault

(1926 – 1984)

French philosopher Michel Foucault is also considered a historian and sociologist.  He is well-known for his critical studies of psychiatry, the human sciences, prisons, and the history of human sexuality.  Though he was considered a structuralist in the 1960s, he later dissociated himself from structuralism and evidence suggests Foucault can be considered a post-structuralist.

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