Curry Kennedy

Curry Kennedy is an Assistant Professor of English at Texas A&M University, joining the faculty in 2023. He specializes in rhetorical education, rhetoric and religion, and the history of rhetoric with a focus on early modern periods. His current book project, *Grace and Skill: Religion and the Arts of Language in Early Modern England*, examines the intersection of piety and linguistic training from 1500–1650.

Education:

• M.A. and Ph.D. in English, Penn State University (2021)
• B.A. in English and Creative Writing, University of Arkansas (2015)

Research emphasizes rhetorical spirituality, connections between religious practice and language arts, and the pedagogical dimensions of early modern texts. His work spans Augustine, Erasmus, Milton, and Emerson, analyzing how religious frameworks shaped persuasive techniques and educational practices. Recent publications explore Augustinian depression, Erasmian pedagogy, Emerson’s provocative obscurity, and Milton’s national ethos.

Professional roles include At-Large member of the American Society for the History of Rhetoric Steering Committee, discipline representative for the Renaissance Society of America, and faculty fellow for Texas A&M’s Honors Academy, where he teaches themes of Respect, Excellence, and Leadership.