Alan Stewart is a Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, specializing in early modern British literature, history, and culture. He previously taught at Queen Mary and Birkbeck, University of London, before joining Columbia in 2003. His research focuses on early modern English literature, manuscript studies, gender studies, queer theory, and the history of the book. Education: B.A. (1988) and M.A. (1992) from the University of Cambridge; Ph.D. (1993) from the University of London. Research Interests: Stewart’s work spans early modern literature, cultural history, and manuscript studies. He has published extensively on figures like Francis Bacon, Philip Sidney, and James VI and I. His notable books include Close Readers: Humanism and Sodomy in Early Modern England , Hostage to Fortune: The Troubled Life of Francis Bacon , and Philip Sidney: A Double Life . He co-edited the Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of English Renaissance Literature and directs the Oxford Francis Bacon project. Publications Trends: His articles and books analyze early modern intellectual history, biography, and the intersection of literature with political and social contexts. Recent works emphasize life-writing, textual editing, and the materiality of manuscripts. Scientific Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship (2011–12), British Academy awards, Folger Shakespeare Library grants. Advising & Grants: He served as Director of Graduate Studies (2012–2015), Chair (2018–2021), and Associate Chair (2023) in Columbia’s English department. He co-chairs the University Seminar in the Renaissance and leads the Centre for Editing Lives and Letters in London. Labs/Teams: Directs the Oxford Francis Bacon project and co-leads the Centre for Editing Lives and Letters , focusing on early modern correspondence and textual scholarship.












