“This research into the relationship of Christopher Isherwood with Swami Prabhavananda forms part of a larger research project exploring the establishment of the Vedanta Society in the U.S. in the early 20th century and its ties to the Ramakrishna monastic order in Bengal, India,” explains Benton.

“By studying Christopher Isherwood’s reflections on Hindu practice under the guidance of the Indian monk, Prabhuvananda, I hope to gain insight into the movement of specific Hindu teachings across cultures, in this case from India to North America, and into those Indian teachings that have been most influential for Americans and Europeans.”

Professor Benton will be a research fellow in residence at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California, for two months in 2012.

According to the Huntington website, “Through a rigorous peer-review program, the [Huntington] awards  … grants to scholars in the fields of history, literature, art, and the history of science…. Recipients of all fellowships are expected to be in continuous residence at the Huntington and to participate in and make a contribution to its intellectual life.”     

“Aware of the demand for rigorous scholarship by the Huntington Library and their competitive peer evaluation process by senior scholars in the humanities, I feel especially honored to receive this 2011-2012 Huntington Fellowship, says Benton. This fellowship is also designated an Isherwood Foundation Fellowship, a grant that has not been awarded for several years.