Michael Olmert

Michael Olmert is a Professor of the Practice in English and Classics at the University of Maryland, College of Arts & Humanities (ARHU). He holds an MA and PhD in English literature and has taught there for over three decades. His research focuses on Early Modern Studies, Restoration/18th-Century Literature, and Colonial History, with notable works on architecture, folklore, and material culture. Olmert has authored several books, including Kitchens, Smokehouses, and Privies (2009) and Milton’s Teeth and Ovid’s Umbrella (1996), and contributed to over 90 TV documentaries, earning three Primetime Emmys. He also lectures globally and leads study-abroad programs in Europe.

His awards include the Phi Kappa Phi Mentoring Award (1999) and multiple Emmy recognitions. Olmert’s writing spans scholarly articles, plays (e.g., Little Gidding), and films like Wildfire (IMAX, 1999). He advises on historical sites like Colonial Williamsburg, contributing to their official guides and cultural interpretations. His research bridges literature, history, and architecture, emphasizing daily life in early modern contexts.

Notable grants include funding for Cold War-era screenplays and historical documentaries. He collaborates with institutions like the Smithsonian and Colonial Williamsburg, influencing both academic and public understanding of historical preservation and cultural heritage.