Beth QuitslundView profile
Professor
Beth Quitslund is Professor of English and Chair in the Department of English at Ohio University’s College of Arts and Sciences, where she teaches courses in early modern literature, poetry, and religious texts. She holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and an A.B. in History & Literature from Harvard College. Ph.D. in English, University of California, Berkeley, 1997 A.B. in History & Literature, Harvard College, 1991 Her research focuses on early modern British literature, particularly devotional texts such as the Book of Common Prayer, the King James Bible, and metrical psalms. She has published extensively on Milton, Spenser, and the cultural and musical dimensions of religious poetry. Her work bridges literary studies, theology, and book history, emphasizing how early modern communities engaged with sacred texts through print, performance, and personal devotion. Her recent publications reflect a sustained inquiry into the intersections of liturgy, biblical interpretation, and poetic form. Themes include sacred violence, devotional subjectivity, and the reception of the King James Version across centuries. Her scholarship often appears in interdisciplinary forums, highlighting the enduring cultural resonance of Reformation-era texts. Selected awards and fellowships include: Konneker Fund for Learning and Discovery Grant (co-investigator, 2020–22) Mid-Atlantic Conference Academic Leadership Development Program Fellowship (2017–18) Ohio University Chapman/Clapp Outstanding Advisor Award (2015) Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship Grant (2012–13) Folger Shakespeare Library Short-term Fellowship (2010) Beth Quitslund has been actively involved in academic leadership and curriculum development, notably as co-investigator on a major grant to reimagine general education at Ohio University. She advises students at all levels and has been recognized for her excellence in advising. Her teaching spans introductory courses like Introduction to Poetry and Drama to advanced seminars on Paradise Lost and capstone literature projects. She co-edits major scholarly editions, including The Whole Book of Psalms , and contributes to critical editions and essay collections that shape the field of early modern studies. Her current projects include editing the King James Bible for the Oxford University Study Bible series and new work on sermons and the Book of Common Prayer from 1540 to 1660.











