I teach a wide range of courses for the Department of English, from introductory surveys of literature to upper-year courses on medieval and eighteenth-century topics. My research interests are equally varied. I am interested in the history of medieval scholarship in the eighteenth century; the history of collecting; and book and printing history. Most recently, I have become interested in the representation of biblical themes in women's needlework of the eighteenth century as well as the phenomenon of 'needle painting' that emerged late in the century among a small group of exceptional needle women.
In my teaching I aim to encourage students to follow their own disparate interests within the context of the course readings in order to become more curious and attentive readers. As someone who often teaches in early historical periods, I strive also to help students recognize, in often unfamiliar texts, the longer literary conversations that take place over time and become participants in the ongoing conversation.
