Jean E. Howard

Jean E. Howard is the George Delacorte Professor in the Humanities at Columbia University's Department of English and Comparative Literature. She specializes in Renaissance literature, drama history, feminism, new historicism, and Marxism. Her career includes roles as Vice Provost for Diversity Initiatives, Chair of the English Department, and President of the Shakespeare Association of America. Currently, she serves as Trustee Emerita of Brown University, chairing the Brown President's Diversity Advisory Council and advising the Pembroke Center. She holds editorial roles in Shakespeare Studies and Renaissance Drama.

Howard's education includes a B.A. from Brown University (1970), an M.Phil. from the University of London (Marshall Fellow, 1972), and a Ph.D. from Yale (Danforth Fellow, 1975). Her research explores intersections between literature, politics, and gender, with notable works like Theater of a City (Barnard Hewitt Award) and Marxist Shakespeares. She has received prestigious fellowships from the Guggenheim, NEH, and Mellon Foundations, among others.

Her publications span Shakespearean analysis, feminist theory, and early modern drama. Recent projects include Shakespeare and Marx (2012) and a forthcoming book on early modern tragedy. She bridges historical and contemporary debates, examining how playwrights like Shakespeare, Kushner, and Churchill frame political discourse through historical narratives.

Howard’s awards reflect her scholarly and pedagogical excellence, including the Columbia Wasserstrom Prize for mentoring. She advocates for diversity in academia and has shaped institutional policies through leadership roles. Her advisory and editorial work further amplify her influence in literary studies and feminist scholarship.