Dr. Zachary Lesser

Biography

Zachary Lesser is the Edward W. Kane Professor of English and the Chair of the English Department at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his PhD in English Literature from Columbia University and completed his BA in Renaissance Studies and Religious Studies at Brown University. Before joining Penn, he taught at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. His teaching and research interests are predominantly focused on Shakespeare, early modern drama, and the history of material texts. Lesser is known for his role as the general editor of the Arden Shakespeare (fourth series) and has collaborated with prominent figures in the field, such as Peter Holland and Tiffany Stern in editing series related to Macbeth. His latest publication, 'Ghosts, Holes, Rips Scrapes: Shakespeare 1619, Bibliography Longue Durée,' received significant recognition by being shortlisted for the SHARP Book History Book Prize. Lesser has also published extensively on Shakespearean texts and has held visiting lectureships at several prestigious institutions, including La Sapienza University of Rome and Oxford University. His work has contributed to important digital humanities resources such as the Database of Early English Playbooks and the Shakespeare Census. He is involved in pedagogical initiatives to enhance the understanding of early modern literature through digital platforms and traditional scholarship.

Research Interests

Courses