Jill Fitzgerald

Professor Jill Fitzgerald holds a faculty position in the English Department at the United States Naval Academy. Her research focuses on early medieval English literature, Old Norse-Icelandic texts, and the intersection of ecclesiastical history with political authority. She is completing a book, Rebel Angels: Space and Sovereignty in Anglo-Saxon England, analyzing apocryphal narratives of angelic rebellion to explore medieval concepts of power and inheritance.

Her teaching integrates hands-on activities such as medieval ink-making in chemistry labs and Old English translation workshops. She regularly leads midshipmen on field trips to the Folger Shakespeare Library and organizes a walking pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral, blending academic study with experiential learning. Her upcoming projects include studies on the biblical figure Judith, the Old English Illustrated Hexateuch, and the Scottish poet Robert Henryson.

Professor Fitzgerald has been recognized with a best essay award from the Society for the Study of Medieval Languages and Literature for her work on Cynewulf's Constantine vision. Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary connections between textual analysis, material culture, and historical context.