Toby Thompson

Toby Thompson is an Associate Professor of English at Pennsylvania State University, specializing in Creative Nonfiction. He is best known for his biography Positively Main Street: Bob Dylan's Minnesota, which investigates Bob Dylan's early life in Hibbing, Minnesota. Thompson's work blends personal memoir with rigorous reporting, earning recognition in publications like The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Rolling Stone.

Education: BA, University of Delaware (1966); MA, University of Virginia (1968).

Research Interests: Thompson focuses on creative nonfiction, biography, and the intersection of music and literature. His work on Bob Dylan explores themes of identity, artistic evolution, and the role of myth in public figures. He emphasizes the importance of personal curiosity in biographical writing, a philosophy he teaches to students.

Teaching: Thompson teaches courses on creative writing and Dylan's legacy, including a popular senior seminar on Dylan's work. His classes are highly sought after, reflecting his reputation as an engaging educator.

Labs/Teams: None explicitly mentioned, though his research involves collaborations with historical archives and interviews with Dylan's associates.