Jacob Riyeff

Dr. Jacob Riyeff is a Teaching Associate Professor and Academic Integrity Director in the Department of English at Marquette University, within the Klingler College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on the intersection of religious worldviews and verbal art, particularly within medieval monastic culture. He specializes in Old and Middle English literature, poetics, and the contemplative tradition.

His academic work includes editing and translating key texts such as The Saint Benedict Prayer Book and The Old English Rule of St. Benedict, alongside publications on monastic pedagogy and medieval mysticism. Riyeff’s poetry and translations explore themes of contemplation, human relationship with nature, and the legacy of medieval traditions in contemporary contexts.

Riyeff teaches a wide range of courses, from epic literature to first-year seminars on attention and the natural world. He is committed to contemplative pedagogy, emphasizing immersive learning experiences. His awards include the 2019 International Society of Anglo-Saxonists award for his translation of The Old English Rule of St. Benedict.

Riyeff’s interdisciplinary work bridges literary scholarship, religious studies, and creative writing, with a focus on how medieval monastic practices can inform modern ethical and environmental concerns.