Although I was born in Memphis, I grew up on a small farm near Jackson, Tennessee, along with my eight younger brothers and sisters. On the farm I learned that I much preferred reading a book to chopping cotton or picking butterbeans, and I’ve been reading books ever since.

My love of literature led me to Vanderbilt University, where I had a double major in English and history. After receiving my B.A. at Vanderbilt, I earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. in English literature from Yale University, where I wrote my dissertation on Shakespeare’s history plays.

As Professor of Literature and Languages at CBU, I teach a variety of courses, mostly in classical, medieval, and early modern literature. I also teach in CBU’s new interdisciplinary studies program and in the honors program. During the past few years, I have pursued research interests in several modern and contemporary fiction writers, including Lee Smith and Peter Taylor.