Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina

Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina is a biographer of both the famous (Carrington) and the neglected (the Princes). She is particularly gifted at opening up new areas of research or bringing new perspectives. Her book, Black London (1995)and the related anthology Black Victorians/Black Victoriana (2003), have been significant influences on subsequent research into Victorian literature and culture. Her book Mr. and Mrs. Prince (2008) completely shifts our views on slavery in the North. In addition to her accomplishments as a scholar, Dr. Gerzina will bring to the Academy her long service as a public advocate for the humanities: for 14 years Dr. Gerzina hosted the nationally syndicated weekly radio program The Book Show.