Sigfried Giedion, Swiss historian of art and one of the leading European figures in the promotion of modern architecture and art, has been appointed Charles Eliot Norton Professor of Poetry for the current academic year, it was announced today.

He will deliver at least six public lectures here this spring. The holder of the professorship is permitted to speak upon any phase of poetry, the term being interpreted to include all poetic expression in language, music, or the fine arts.

A native of Switzerland and 44 years old, Giedion studied the history of art, archaeology and literature in universities in Switzerland, Germany and Italy. Following these studies, at Bauhaus Weimar, he came in contact with Walter Gropius, professor of Architecture. In 1925 he returned to Switzerland and took an important part in the fight to introduce modern architecture in that country.