معرفی
Thomas Ruys Smith is a Professor of American Literature and Culture at the University of East Anglia (UEA), serving as Deputy Director of the New Area Studies Research Centre. He specializes in 19th-century American and Victorian literature, with a focus on the Mississippi River, Christmas cultural history, and children's literature. His work bridges literary analysis with interdisciplinary studies, exploring topics like Mark Twain’s Mississippi, New Orleans history, and the global significance of Black Beauty.
Education: BA from St John's College, Cambridge; PhD from UEA. His research includes monographs such as Deep Water (2019), River of Dreams (2007), and edited collections like Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music (2016). He co-edits the journals Comparative American Studies and New Area Studies.
Research interests extend to circus history (e.g., the Great Yarmouth Hippodrome) and seasonal studies, with recent projects on Santa Claus and Mary Sewell’s Victorian poetry. He collaborates with institutions like Redwings Horse Sanctuary and leads innovative teaching initiatives, such as the Children’s Corner Critical Editions project, awarded multiple educational prizes.
His media engagements include appearances on National Geographic, The Guardian, and USA Today, discussing topics from Christmas traditions to literary history.
