Richard Wright

Richard Wright (pictured), Curators’ Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, was named a fellow of the American Society of Criminology in May. The title is given to scholars who have achieved distinction in the field of criminology.

“I am very pleased to have been named a fellow of the American Society of Criminology, which has been my intellectual home for more than a quarter century,” Wright said. “As with most such honors, much of the credit belongs to others, especially my stellar colleagues in the department, each of whom has that rare gift of knowing how to be critical without being cruel. After 25 years in the same department, I can honestly say that I know of no better place to teach and do research in criminology and criminal justice.”

Wright, of Webster Groves, Mo., researches urban street criminals, residential burglary, armed robbers, carjackers and drug dealers. He has written four books, 36 journal articles and 10 book chapters. His research has been awarded by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, National Institute of Justice and National Consortium On Violence Research. In addition to these accomplishments, he is the first American to serve as the editor in chief of the British Journal of Sociology.