Christina Vella

Christina Vella (March 14, 1942 – March 22, 2017) was an American writer, historian of modern Europe, and adjunct professor at Tulane University in New Orleans.[1]

Christina Vella
Born(1942-03-14)March 14, 1942
DiedMarch 22, 2017(2017-03-22) (aged 75)
Academic background
Alma mater
ThesisThe Baroness Pontalba (1990)
Doctoral advisorRadomir Luza
Other advisorsLawrence Powell
Academic work
DisciplineHistorian
Sub-disciplineEuropean history
InstitutionsTulane University

Biography

Vella received her Ph.D. in European and U.S. history from Tulane University in New Orleans.[2]

Her first book, Intimate Enemies: The Two Worlds of the Baroness de Pontalba, was entered for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. It was published by Louisiana State University Press in 1997 and was chosen as one of the best books of the year by the New York Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly, and The Times-Picayune.[3] It chronicles the life and career of Micaela Almonester, the woman responsible for building the Embassy of the United States in Paris and the Pontalba Buildings in New Orleans. In 2003, Intimate Enemies was adapted by Thea Musgrave as the opera Pontalba, which premiered in New Orleans in October of that year.[4]

Vella's later books include The Hitler Kiss: A Memoir of the Czech Resistance (2002), co-authored with Radomir Luza, and Indecent Secrets - The Infamous Murri Murder Affair (2006), a history of the Murri murder trial which took place in Bologna, Italy in 1905.

Her biography of George Washington Carver, George Washington Carver: A Life, was published in 2015.[2]

Awards and honors

She received the 2010 Preservation Award from the Foundation for Historical Louisiana.[2]

References
  1. Grimes, William (2017-03-27). "Christina Vella, 75, Author of Sizzling Works of Narrative History, Dies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  2. Hughes, Cathy (2017-03-26). "Christina Vella, New Orleans author and historian, dies at 65". The Advocate. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  3. Gareau, Angeline (Aug 31, 1997). "A Spectacular Mess of A Marriage". New York Times Book Review. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
  4. "Thea Musgrave: Pontalba". Chester Novello Program Notes. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
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