Bruce Holsinger

Bruce Holsinger is the Linden Kent Memorial Professor of English at the University of Virginia, where he teaches medieval literature and theory. He serves as Editor of New Literary History and has authored both academic works and critically acclaimed novels such as A Burnable Book and The Gifted School, the latter winning the Colorado Book Award. His research spans medieval studies, critical theory, and interdisciplinary projects like biocodicology, focusing on parchment’s biomolecular analysis.

• Education: Ph.D. in English (Columbia, 1996), M.A. (Minnesota, 1992), B.A. and B.Mus.A. (Michigan, 1989)

Holsinger’s academic work interrogates the intersections of medieval culture, critical theory, and the materiality of texts. His recent projects include The Parchment Inheritance, exploring environmental history and historical genetics through premodern archives. His novels blend historical fiction and contemporary social critique, examining themes of power, resilience, and privilege.

Holsinger’s scholarly articles traverse biocodicology, medieval political theory, and postcolonial medievalism. Collaborative research on parchment analysis has redefined understandings of medieval manuscript production, while theoretical essays bridge premodern and modern intellectual histories.

• Scientific Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship, Frederick Burkhardt Fellowship, NEH Fellowship, Javits Fellowship, MLA Prize for a First Book, John Nicholas Brown Prize, Philip Brett Award

Holsinger has advised graduate students in medieval studies and critical theory, with grants supporting interdisciplinary research in manuscript cultures. He leads collaborative teams in bioarchaeology and textual conservation, merging humanities with sciences.