Laura Knoppers

Laura Knoppers is the George N. Shuster Professor of English Literature and Department Chair at the University of Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters. She specializes in seventeenth-century British literature, with a focus on John Milton, early modern women writers (e.g., Margaret Cavendish), and the intersections of gender, politics, and religion. Her research bridges literary criticism, cultural history, and book history.

Education: PhD and M.A. in English Literature from Harvard University; B.A. in English Literature from Calvin College.

Research Interests: Milton’s works and context, early modern women’s authorship, the English Revolution, luxury culture, and political iconography. Her notable works include Politicizing Domesticity (2011), Constructing Cromwell (2000), and the award-winning Complete Works of John Milton (2008 edition).

Publications: Over 20 authored/edited books and 40+ journal articles/chapters. Recent work includes the Oxford History of Poetry in English (2024) and studies on Margaret Cavendish’s medical writings.

Awards: Milton Society’s John T. Shawcross Award (2008), NEH grants, and the 2016 Honored Scholar distinction. She edited Milton Studies (2009–2018) and currently chairs the English Department at Notre Dame.

Grants & Service: Secured $500K NEH Challenge Grant for Penn State’s Institute for the Arts and Humanities. Active in professional organizations like the Milton Society of America and Renaissance Society of America.

Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary projects on early modern literature and culture. Collaborates with institutions like the Folger Shakespeare Library and international scholars on luxury studies and Cromwellian representation.