Scott Peeples

Scott Peeples is a Professor in the English Department at the College of Charleston, where he has taught American literature and writing since 1996. His scholarly work focuses on Edgar Allan Poe, Gothic literature, urban studies, and nineteenth-century American culture, with notable books including The Man of the Crowd: Edgar Allan Poe and the City (2020) and The Afterlife of Edgar Allan Poe (2004).

• Ph.D., American Literature, Louisiana State University
• M.A., English, College of William and Mary
• B.A., American Studies, Georgetown University

His research examines Poe's itinerant life and urban experiences, challenging myths about the author while analyzing intersections of race, class, and gender in literary studies. Recent publications explore topics ranging from Poe's filmic representations to connections between Melville/Dickinson and urban print culture.

While his academic output frequently appears in journals like J19, Leviathan, and Edgar Allan Poe Review, trends in his 15 most recent works emphasize biographical criticism, magazine studies, and interdisciplinary approaches combining literature with visual/media studies. His 2020 book The Man of the Crowd particularly highlights Poe's urban environments and their impact on his writing.

Peeples maintains active academic engagement through teaching courses on American literature, directing departmental work from 2012-2017, and serving as past president of the Poe Studies Association. His work demonstrates consistent focus on literary context and authorial legacy.