Professor Helen Small appointed to Merton Professorship of English Language and Literature

We are delighted to report that Professor Helen Small has been appointed to the distinguished Merton Professorship of English Language and Literature. This Professorship dates back to 1885 and among Prof. Small's five predecessors in the role is one who made the very same journey from Pembroke Square to Merton Street, namely JRR Tolkien. Prof. Small will take up the post with effect from 1st October 2018. 

Among other highlights, her career in Literature so far has seen her win the Truman Capote Award for Literary Criticism (for The Long Life, 2007), as well as receiving widespread acclaim for her 2013 book The Value of the Humanities.  She continues to be a commentator on this subject, as well as publishing widely on 19th Century English Literature.  We look forward to following her career, and hearing of her continued success.

Helen has been Jonathan and Julia Aisbitt Fellow in English at Pembroke since 1996, where she has taught and mentored many students of Literature as well as making a significant contribution to the life of the College.  

Pembroke congratulates Prof. Small on this very special appointment, and we all wish her the very best for the opportunities that it presents.

The full formal announcement is published in the Oxford Gazette.