Eric Gardner

Eric Gardner is a Professor of English and current Chair of the Department of English at Saginaw Valley State University. His scholarship focuses on Black print culture, African American literature, and nineteenth-century periodical culture, with two acclaimed books: Unexpected Places: Relocating Nineteenth-Century African American Literature (2009) and Black Print Unbound: The 'Christian Recorder,' African American Literature, and Periodical Culture (2015). He has also edited five additional volumes.

• Education: Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Gardner’s research explores the intersections of race, print media, and literary history in 19th-century America. His work has been recognized with multiple fellowships, including two from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Roosevelt Ruffin Diversity Award from SVSU.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Election to the American Antiquarian Society
  • SVSU Braun Research Fellowship
  • SVSU Roosevelt Ruffin Diversity Award
  • National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship (twice)