Marilyn Atlas is a Professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences at Ohio University, where she has been a tenured faculty member since 1984. She also contributes to the Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies program and the Jewish Studies Certificate, reflecting her interdisciplinary engagement. Her academic career is deeply rooted in American literature, with a focus on Midwestern, women’s, Jewish, and African American literary traditions. Education: Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1979 A.M., University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), 1973 A.B., University of Illinois, 1973 (High Honors in Liberal Arts and Sciences with Distinction in English Education) B.S., University of Illinois, 1972 (High Honors in Liberal Arts and Sciences with Distinction in Psychology) Her research interests center on American literature from the American Renaissance to contemporary periods, with special attention to Midwestern identity, feminist criticism, and canonical formation. She has published extensively on Toni Morrison, Sherwood Anderson, Margaret Fuller, and Jewish American writers. Her work often explores the intersections of geography, gender, and literary representation. The trends in her scholarly articles reveal a sustained engagement with Midwestern literary culture, autobiographical writing, and the role of women in shaping modernist movements. She frequently analyzes how place, memory, and identity converge in American literature, particularly through the works of female authors and marginalized voices. Her recent lectures continue this trajectory, focusing on Morrison’s later novels and contemporary Midwestern writers like Peter Orner. Scientific Awards and Honors: MidAmerica Award for distinguished contributions to the study of Midwestern literature (2004) Fulbright Lecturer, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines (1985) Feminist Award Award for Excellence in Teaching Marilyn Atlas has secured multiple professional development and research grants from Ohio University to support her editorial and scholarly projects, including the Dictionary of Midwestern Literature . She has served as a senior editor and guest editor for major reference works and journals, and has directed academic conferences and public lectures. Her advising and editorial mentorship have significantly shaped the field of Midwestern literary studies. She has been a long-standing member of the editorial boards of MidAmerica and Midwestern Miscellany , and has served as an external evaluator for tenure and promotion at other institutions. Her public intellectual work includes radio broadcasts ( Wired for Books ) and television appearances on figures like Margaret Fuller.
