Professor Drout: a professor for our time

[Parador~J]

Michael Drout: Dedham, Massachusetts, United States

"I am William C.H. and Elsie D. Prentice Professor of English at Wheaton College, Norton, Mass., where I teach Old English (Anglo-Saxon), Middle English, medieval literature, fantasy, science fiction and writing. My scholarship is focused on tenth-century English literature and culture, meme-based theories of culture, and the works of J. R. R. Tolkien."


I read Professor Drout's blog every week or so... Wormtalk and Slugspeak...he really is an incredible person.

I love to talk about his works and his study of Tolkien. I remember when he attended the Gathering of the Fellowship in 2003 as a presenter...I walked him to BagEnd where the academic programs were being held. He was a bit worried that there would not be enough people to want to hear his presentation. I told him not worry...'remember...these were Tolkien fans', lol:) And sure enough...the house was full I think his mouth dropped...but as he walked to the podium he spoke in Old English (I believe thats what the language was)...then it was my turn for my mouth to drop! I was just mesmerized by him. He was definitely well versed and a very articulate speaker. I see him as a down to earth man...err...hobbit that is.

I believe Tolkien would have been taken by Professor Drout...and would have been quite impressed. Better yet, I believe they would have been buds!

So it is here that I dedicate this thread to Professor Drout...a Professor for our time

A place to talk and discuss his thoughts and works...