Matthew Rickard

Matthew Rickard is an Assistant Professor in the Program of Liberal Studies at the University of Notre Dame, affiliated with the College of Arts and Letters. His research focuses on Renaissance European literary history, particularly 17th-century poetry and poetics. He is completing a book manuscript titled *Probability: A Literary History, 1479–1700*. His work has been published in journals like *English Literary History* and *Studies in Philology*. Previously, he held a Mellon Fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis and co-authored *Keywords; for Further Consideration* (Princeton UP, 2018). He welcomes inquiries from students at all academic levels.

• Education: Ph.D., Princeton University (2021); A.B., Washington University in St. Louis (2012)

His research interests span Renaissance literature, early modern philosophy, humanist education, and the history of literary criticism. He explores how literary forms and critical frameworks evolved during this period, with a particular emphasis on the interplay between poetry and intellectual thought.

Rickard's current book project traces the concept of 'probability' in literary contexts across three centuries, analyzing its role in shaping rhetorical practices and epistemological debates. His articles engage with textual analysis and historical methodologies to illuminate premodern literary and philosophical discourse.

No scientific awards are explicitly listed, though his scholarly contributions reflect significant academic recognition. He has advised no named students yet, but maintains an open-door policy for academic collaboration.

Rickard’s office is located in 320Z O’Shaughnessy Hall, where he contributes to the Program’s interdisciplinary mission. His work bridges literary studies and intellectual history, fostering dialogue between historical texts and contemporary critical frameworks.