The photophysics of 9,9＇-bianthryl (BA) were investigated by means of fluorescence spectroscopy, nanosecond transient-absorption spectroscopy, and semiempirical calculations. Fluorescence spectra and lifetimes were measured in more than 50 solvents in order to get a detailed picture of the solvent dependence. The results show that the fluorescence lifetime is constant in solvents of low polarity (D < 5) and increases with solvent polarity in more polar solvents. Departures from this trend can be traced to specific solute-solvent interactions. Excited-state singlet-singlet absorption spectra were measured in the ultraviolet range and show a marked solvent dependence. In polar solvents, the spectrum (lambda(max) = 315 nm) is closely related to those of the radical ions of both BA and anthracene. The decay rate constant of this band is identical with that of the fluorescence emission in a range of solvents of varying polarity (D > 5), thus providing direct proof of the charge-separated character of the fluorescent state in polar solvents. The 315 nm band is absent in isooctane, indicating that the fluorescent state is not of charge-separated character in this case. Semiempirical calculations were carried out in order to rationalize the experimental data. Careful consideration of the symmetry character of the electronic states involved and of the solvent effect on these states indicates that two distinct transitions are responsible for the observed fluorescence emission; in nonpolar solvents, a nonpolar state with D-2 symmetry and a torsion angle that is markedly smaller than 90 degrees is the fluorescent state, whereas in polar solvents fluorescence originates from a charge-separated perpendicular state of D-2d symmetry. This latter state is responsible for the large solvent effects on fluorescence and singlet-singlet absorption. Triplet-triplet absorption and intersystem-crossing efficiency data were also measured in several solvents. They too are solvent-dependent but do not show characteristics of charge separation; they rather are influenced by specific solute-solvent interactions.