Katherine H. Terrell is a Professor of Literature at Hamilton College specializing in Middle English and Middle Scots literature, with research focusing on medieval nationalism, women's writing, and discourses of alterity including depictions of Muslims and Jews. She is affiliated with the Literature and Creative Writing and Medieval and Renaissance Studies programs, contributing to Hamilton College's academic community since her appointment in 2004. Terrell's educational background includes a Ph.D. and M.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. from the University of Toronto, an M.Phil. from Oxford University (St. Hilda's College), and a B.A. from Kenyon College. This diverse training underpins her expertise across multiple medieval literary traditions. Her research centers on medieval literary production with emphasis on Geoffrey Chaucer, the Pearl-poet, alliterative poetry, and historical writing. She investigates how medieval texts construct national identities, particularly through Scottish-English literary interactions, while examining gender ideologies and religious otherness. Terrell's work spans Old English, Old French, and Early Modern literature, revealing continuities in medieval thought across linguistic boundaries. Analysis of her recent publications shows consistent focus on Scottish literary identity formation, medieval cartography's role in nation-building, and gendered power structures in romance traditions. Her scholarship bridges literary analysis with historical context, particularly examining how Scottish writers responded to English cultural dominance through poetic and historical narratives. Terrell's scholarly excellence is recognized through prestigious awards: Visiting Fellowship at Clare Hall, University of Cambridge (2013-14) American Philosophical Society Franklin Research Grant (2013-14) Visiting Research Fellowship at University of Edinburgh's Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (2007-08) Class of 1966 Faculty Innovation Fund Research Award (2007) Stanford Humanities Postdoctoral Mellon Fellowship (2006-08, declined) Falkenau Teaching Fellowship at Cornell University (2003-04) She actively mentors students through courses like Gender, Sex, and Violence in the Middle Ages and Introduction to Old English, while securing research grants that support her investigations into medieval Scottish nationalism. Terrell has served as Faculty Secretary (2014-15) and Chair of the Medieval and Renaissance Studies Program (2011-13), demonstrating institutional leadership alongside her scholarly contributions.


