The George H. Ford Lecture Series

A distinguished scholar of Victorian literature and a specialist in Dickens and D.H. Lawrence, George H. Ford served as one of the founding editors of the Norton Anthology of English Literature, steering its Victorian section through six editions. Professor Ford taught at the University of Rochester from 1958 until his retirement in 1984, and served as chair of the Department from 1960 to 1972. Among his many legacies was the establishment of the University of Rochester’s PhD Program in English.

Wanting to ensure the continued richness of the program, George Ford left a bequest for the express purpose of sponsoring the lecture series that now bears his name, and which serves to bring a distinguished scholar to campus each year for a day-long concatenation of intensive interactions with students, culminating in a public address.

Recent George H. Ford lecturers include:

  • Nancy Armstrong
  • Jenny Davidson
  • Annette Gordon-Reed
  • Gerald Graff
  • John Guillory
  • Langdon Hammer
  • N. Katherine Hayles
  • Gordon Hutner
  • Joseph Loewenstein
  • D. A. Miller
  • Christopher Ricks
  • Joseph Roach
  • Hollis Robbins
  • Elaine Showalter
  • Susan Stewart