Department of English

Interview with Peggy Phelan and Gavin Jones on New Critical-Creative Studies Initiative

One of the founding departments of Stanford University in 1891, the English department is the cornerstone of the humanities at Stanford. The pioneer faculty of English was an eclectic group of writers, comparativists, and literary scholars.

Front entrance of the quad from Jordan Hall to Hoover Tower, on Serra Street. From a series of images intended to "recreate" historical images from the Stanford Archives. bicycle

Linda A. Cicero / Stanford News Service

Undergraduate Program

To study English is to master the power of language.

On the first day of summer, junior Chaz Curet takes a break to read in the sun. The English major found a comfortable spot in the SEQ to read from 'Our Story Begins,' a collection of short stories by Stanford professor Tobias Wolff.

Linda A. Cicero / Stanford News Service

Coterminal Master of Arts

If you are an advanced undergraduate who wants to take the study of literature to a higher level, then the coterminal M.A. program is for you.

Ato Quayson speaking with Ramon Saldivar and Paula Moya

Paul Keitz

Check out our courses

Stanford English offers a wide variety of interdisciplinary courses taught by world-class faculty

A photo of Ato Quayson and Adam Johnson attending the Creative Writing Welcome Back Dinner.

Views from the Department

Professor Ato Quayson with Professor Adam Johnson at the Creative Writing program Welcome Dinner

A. Van Jordan selected as the latest recipient of the Holmes National Poetry Prize

A. Van Jordan has been selected as the latest recipient of the Theodore H. Holmes ’51 and Bernice Holmes National Poetry Prize, awarded by the Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Creative Writing at Princeton University.

"Editing for the Ear: What I Learned Producing My Own Audiobook" by Shelley Fisher Fishkin

Shelley Fisher Fishkin just published an article, "Editing for the Ear: What I Learned Producing My Own Audiobook" in the international journal, Publishing Perspectives.

Professor Aracelis Girmay Wins 2026 PEN/Voelcker Award for Poetry Collection

Aracelis Girmay, Knight Family Professor of Creative Writing and Professor of English, received the 2026 PEN/Voelcker Award for Poetry Collection for Green of All Heads (BOA Editions). PEN America awards the prize to "a poet whose distinguished collection of poetry represents a notable and accomplished literary presence."

Upcoming Events

Please stay tuned for announcements regarding upcoming Departmental, and Co-sponsored events!

Here are some great events that we have held in the past

Department Bookshelf

English remains a top-ranked department nationally because of the strength and variety of our faculty publications, both in scholarly research and creative writing. Browse the Bookshelf to explore our many interests.

Browse the entire Bookshelf

Department of English

Welcome to the Stanford University Department of English

Interview with Peggy Phelan and Gavin Jones on New Critical-Creative Studies Initiative

Undergraduate Program

Coterminal Master of Arts

Check out our courses

Views from the Department

Recent News

A. Van Jordan selected as the latest recipient of the Holmes National Poetry Prize

"Editing for the Ear: What I Learned Producing My Own Audiobook" by Shelley Fisher Fishkin

Professor Aracelis Girmay Wins 2026 PEN/Voelcker Award for Poetry Collection

Upcoming Events

Department Bookshelf

The Antidote

The Wayfinder

Green of All Heads

Jim: The Life and Afterlives of Huckleberry Finn’s Comrade

The Cambridge History of the British Essay

Digital Philology