Robert B. Stepto
Encyclopedia
Robert B. Stepto is a literary theorist
and professor of African American studies
, English
and American Studies
at Yale University
. He is best known for his 1979 book From Behind the Veil. He has also edited the anthology Harper American Literature since 1993.
Stepto graduated from the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
in 1962, then received his bachelor of arts at Trinity College
in 1968 and a master's and Ph.D. from Stanford University
in 1974. He taught English and American studies at Williams College
before joining the faculty of Yale in 1974.
He is a relative of jazz musician Coleman Hawkins
.
Literary theory
Literary theory in a strict sense is the systematic study of the nature of literature and of the methods for analyzing literature. However, literary scholarship since the 19th century often includes—in addition to, or even instead of literary theory in the strict sense—considerations of...
and professor of African American studies
African American studies
African American studies is a subset of Black studies or Africana studies. It is an interdisciplinary academic field devoted to the study of the history, culture, and politics of African Americans...
, English
English studies
English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language , English linguistics English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language (including literatures from the U.K., U.S.,...
and American Studies
American studies
American studies or American civilization is an interdisciplinary field dealing with the study of the United States. It traditionally incorporates the study of history, literature, and critical theory, but also includes fields as diverse as law, art, the media, film, religious studies, urban...
at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. He is best known for his 1979 book From Behind the Veil. He has also edited the anthology Harper American Literature since 1993.
Stepto graduated from the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools is a private, co-educational day school in Chicago, Illinois. It is affiliated with the University of Chicago...
in 1962, then received his bachelor of arts at Trinity College
Trinity College (Connecticut)
Trinity College is a private, liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1823, it is the second-oldest college in the state of Connecticut after Yale University. The college enrolls 2,300 students and has been coeducational since 1969. Trinity offers 38 majors and 26 minors, and has...
in 1968 and a master's and Ph.D. from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in 1974. He taught English and American studies at Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
before joining the faculty of Yale in 1974.
He is a relative of jazz musician Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Randolph Hawkins was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Hawkins was one of the first prominent jazz musicians on his instrument. As Joachim E. Berendt explained, "there were some tenor players before him, but the instrument was not an acknowledged jazz horn"...
.
Selected publications
- Afro-American Literature: The Reconstruction of Instruction (1978, ed. with Dexter Fisher)
- From Behind the Veil: A Study of Afro-American Literature (1979)
- Chant of Saints: A Gathering of Literature, Art and Scholarship (1979, ed. with Michael HarperMichael S. HarperMichael Steven Harper is an American poet from Brooklyn, who was the Poet Laureate of Rhode Island from 1988 to 1993. He has published ten books of poetry, two of which, "Dear John, Dear Coltrane" and "Images of Kin" , have been nominated for the National Book Award. A great deal of his poetry...
) - Blue as the Lake: A Personal Geography (1998)