Dr. Langdon Hammer

Biography

Langdon Hammer is the Niel Gray, Jr. Professor of English at Yale University, where he has a rich academic focus on poetry, particularly in American and British literature. His scholarship often revolves around literary biography and theory, showcasing his depth as an archival scholar and close reader of texts. Among his notable works is the biography 'James Merrill: Life and Art,' awarded as a finalist for the Poetry Foundation’s Pegasus Prize, and he also received the Lambda literary award for his contributions to gay biography. Hammer has held various fellowships, including those from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Leon Levy Center for Biography. His editorial experience includes roles at American Scholar, where he has introduced over seventy-five poets through essays and published works on various aspects of poetry, contributing significantly to American literature. He teaches a range of undergraduate courses at Yale and has mentored numerous PhD students, many of whom have gone on to have impactful academic careers. His commitment to poetry extends beyond academia into public education, leading seminars for public school teachers. Hammer's ongoing projects include a critical biography of Elizabeth Bishop, demonstrating his continuous engagement with significant literary figures in American poetry.

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