The lecture is entitled: "Heinrich Heine, the New York Intellectuals, and Critical Theory". It will explore Heinrich Heine's absent presence in the tradition of Critical Theory. While the trajectory of Heine suggestively resonates with the project of Critical Theory, both literary criticism and many of the exponents of Critical Theory have remained resistant to exploring their affinities. Examination of Heine's role in the history of Critical Theory and the New York intellectuals points to a shared engagement with Heine that suggests, as Adorno noted, the need to "reappraise" Heine.