Tyler Williams

Tyler Williams is an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago's Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations. His research focuses on the philological and historical study of literary and religious texts in early modern north India (1300-1800 CE), particularly those in Hindi/Hindavi/Urdu. He examines relationships between material texts (manuscripts) and their literary/religious content, as well as broader issues in precolonial and postcolonial aesthetics. He is completing a monograph on writing practices in Hindi before print technology and studies merchant communities' roles in shaping bhakti religiosity and vernacular literature.

Education: Ph.D. (2014), M.Phil. (2011) in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies from Columbia University; M.Phil. (2007) in Hindi Literature from Jawaharlal Nehru University; M.A. in Hindi.

Publications emphasize manuscript studies, scribal practices, and premodern textual cultures. His work bridges book history, digital humanities, and South Asian studies. He has advised students on topics including African communities in precolonial South Asia, colonial geographic knowledge, and postcolonial theater aesthetics.

Courses taught include seminars on South Asian aesthetics, media studies, and advanced Hindi language.