Gene Andrew Jarrett

Gene Andrew Jarrett is Dean of the Faculty and William S. Tod Professor of English at Princeton University. He previously served as Dean of the College of Arts and Science at New York University (2017–2021) and held academic leadership roles at Boston University, including Chair of the English Department (2011–2014) and Associate Dean for the Humanities (2014–2017). A scholar of African American literature and intellectual history, his work bridges historical analysis with contemporary cultural critique.

Education:

• PhD in English, Brown University
• MA in English, Brown University
• AB in English, Princeton University

Research focuses on African American literary history from the 18th century to the present, U.S. literary history between the Civil War and WWII, and intersections of race, aesthetics, and intellectual historiography. His acclaimed book Paul Laurence Dunbar: The Life and Times of a Caged Bird (2022) redefined scholarly understanding of the poet’s legacy, winning the Truman Capote Award. He has edited major anthologies like the Wiley-Blackwell Anthology of African American Literature and oversees Oxford’s African American Studies bibliographies.

Awards highlight his contributions to literary scholarship, including prestigious fellowships and book honors. His editorial work spans monographs, journal articles, and digital humanities initiatives.