Biography - Ryan Harper

Ryan Harper earned his B.A. in English from Oregon State University in 2001, his M.A. in English from the University of Rochester in 2007, and his Ph.D. in English from the University of Rochester in 2011. His main field of study is Middle English (Chaucer and Co.), but he has a broad background and also teaches American and later English literatures, as well as writing courses.

He taught and tutored for several years at brick-and-mortar institutions (including the University of Rochester and Monroe Community College) before going online with AMU. He also spent some time as a beat reporter and freelance journalist, covering natural resources in Oregon.

In early 2011, he moved to Madison County, Virginia, with his wife, two-year-old son, two cats, and a banjo. The snowshovel stayed behind in Rochester.