Carolyn Kott Washburne

Carolyn Kott Washburne is a Senior Lecturer Emerita in the English Department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), affiliated with the College of Letters & Science. She holds a BA in English Literature from Wellesley College (1965) and an MSW in Community Organization from the University of Pennsylvania (1971). Her teaching focuses on Creative Nonfiction, Editing and Publishing, and Internship in English. Beyond academia, she owns Washburne Literary Services and serves on the Board of the Council for Wisconsin Writers.

Her editorial work includes books like In the Arena: The Story of Community Action in Wisconsin and Layton’s Legacy: An Historic American Art Collection, showcasing expertise in memoir, historical documentation, and literary translation. Recent publications span magazine profiles (e.g., Milwaukee’s influential figures) and literary anthologies, reflecting her versatility in narrative nonfiction and cultural critique.

Washburne’s career bridges academic instruction with professional publishing, emphasizing community engagement and literary craftsmanship. Her writing explores themes of personal and collective identity, ethical leadership, and cultural preservation.