Phillip West

Phillip West was Professor Emeritus of English at Skidmore College, where he taught from 1969 until his retirement in 1992. He specialized in medieval literature and humanities, developing innovative courses like a monastic immersion program at an Elmira monastery and 'Buzzwords: The Idea of the Bee,' which explored bee mythology across cultures. He regularly taught English courses at Great Meadows Correctional Facility through Skidmore's University Without Walls program.

His scholarship appeared in publications including Monastic Studies and James Joyce Quarterly, covering topics from Bede's writings to labyrinths and Halley's comet. An avid naturalist, he traveled extensively through national parks in the western United States.