Joshua Clover, a distinguished writer, poet, scholar, and professor of English and comparative literature at the University of California, Davis, has passed away at the age of 62. His death on April 26, 2025, marks the end of a prolific and impactful career that left an indelible mark on the worlds of literature, political theory, and social justice.
Clover was born on December 30, 1962, in Berkeley, California, to a family deeply embedded in academic and intellectual circles. His mother, Carol J. Clover, a pioneering figure in horror film theory, was a professor emerita at the University of California, Berkeley. Joshua took his mother’s maiden name legally, reflecting his intellectual lineage and his commitment to forging his own path within academia. His mother’s groundbreaking work on the “final girl” theory in horror films became a defining contribution to gender studies and popular culture, and Joshua, too, left a profound mark in his chosen fields.
A graduate of Boston University and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, Joshua Clover built a reputation as a brilliant and thought-provoking scholar, poet, critic, and journalist. His work ranged from the political economy of social movements to the philosophical intricacies of race and power. He was known for his rigorous analyses of deindustrialization, the decline of American empire, and the rise of financialization, often focusing on Marxist frameworks to critique contemporary social and economic structures.
A Legacy of Scholarly Excellence
Clover’s academic career was rooted in a deep commitment to understanding how changes in the political and economic landscapes affected everyday life. His scholarship on the political economy of riots became widely influential in political theory, particularly his seminal work, Riot.Strike.Riot: The New Era of Uprisings. This study, translated into five languages, offered a unique materialist theory of the riot and a comprehensive history of uprisings in the modern era. The Chicago Tribune described it as “timely and audacious,” a testament to its far-reaching impact.
Over the years, Clover’s work has examined various global phenomena, from the effects of deindustrialization in the West to the social transformations spurred by the collapse of the Soviet Union. His writing addressed pressing issues like the future of global capitalism, the evolution of social movements, and the intersection of racialized power dynamics in contemporary political struggles. Clover’s work not only brought clarity to the economic crises of the late 20th and early 21st centuries but also framed these shifts within broader historical contexts of resistance and revolution.
His scholarship reached a wide audience, with his work appearing in The Best American Poetry three times and in Best Music Writing twice. He also received numerous accolades for his contributions to literature and political thought, including a prestigious grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), fellowships from the Cornell Society for the Humanities, the University of California Humanities Research Institute, and the Institute of Advanced Study at the University of Warwick.
Clover’s first book of poetry, Madonna anno domini, earned him the Walt Whitman Award from the Academy of American Poets in 1996. His poetry and prose displayed a rare blend of intellectual rigor and poetic grace, and his voice in the literary world was one of both artistic beauty and social critique.
The Professor and Mentor
Joshua Clover was more than just a writer and academic; he was a beloved professor and mentor at UC Davis. For years, he inspired and challenged his students with his vast knowledge and unwavering dedication to intellectual rigor. Clover’s courses in English and comparative literature allowed students to engage deeply with political theory, poetry, and the intersection of culture and economics.
In addition to his role at UC Davis, Clover was the distinguished Holloway poet-in-residence at the University of California, Berkeley, in 2002-2003, where he contributed to the literary community by fostering the development of young poets and writers. His commitment to teaching was grounded in his belief that academic inquiry could illuminate and, ultimately, transform society. His classroom was a space for rigorous discussion, where students were encouraged to think critically about the world around them.
A Life of Intellectual and Personal Dedication
Joshua Clover’s personal life mirrored his intellectual pursuits. He lived with a deep commitment to social justice and an unshakable belief in the power of intellectual engagement to create social change. His work was always driven by a desire to better understand the world and challenge systems of oppression, and he imparted this passion to his students, colleagues, and friends.
Despite the profound nature of his academic achievements, those who knew Joshua will also remember him for his warmth, wit, and generosity. A man who could move between the realms of dense political theory and poetic expression with ease, Clover was deeply engaged in both the intellectual and personal aspects of his relationships. His work was always intertwined with his personal ethos: that theory and practice must meet in the real world.
Joshua Clover’s Enduring Impact
Joshua Clover’s contributions to the fields of literature, political economy, and social theory will continue to resonate for years to come. His work on the intersections of social struggle, race, and capitalism remains a vital part of contemporary political discourse. He was a tireless advocate for the underrepresented and the oppressed, always seeking to challenge the status quo and provide new avenues for thought and action.
His untimely passing leaves a significant void in the intellectual communities he was a part of, but his legacy will endure in his writing, his teachings, and the countless individuals he mentored throughout his life.
Joshua is survived by his colleagues, students, friends, and family, all of whom will continue to carry forward the ideas he championed and the lessons he imparted. He will be missed not only for his intellectual brilliance but for his compassion, his dedication to justice, and his unwavering belief in the power of community.
A Memorial and Celebration of Life
In the coming days, the University of California, Davis, and his colleagues will gather to celebrate the life of Joshua Clover and reflect on the indelible mark he left on the university, his students, and the world of literature and political thought. A memorial service will be planned in honor of his memory, where friends, family, and students will share stories of the profound impact Joshua had on their lives.
Joshua Clover’s work will continue to inspire generations of students, scholars, and activists, reminding us of the transformative power of ideas and the enduring need to challenge the systems that shape our world. May his legacy live on in the struggles for justice, in the written word, and in the hearts of all those who were fortunate enough to know him.