William Lyon Phelps

William Lyon Phelps (1865–1943) was an eminent American educator, literary critic, and scholar, renowned for his captivating lecturing style and his passion for English literature. Born on January 2, 1865, in New Haven, Connecticut, Phelps demonstrated an early affinity for the written word, which blossomed into a distinguished academic career. He earned his B.A. in 1887 from Yale University, where he would later return as a faculty member. After further studies at Harvard and abroad, Phelps obtained his Ph.D. from Yale in 1891 and began his decades-long tenure as an English professor at the same institution. Phelps was a prolific writer, with his works often striving to make literature more accessible and enjoyable to the public. His book 'The Greatest Russian Short Stories & Plays' is a testament to his affinity for diverse literary traditions and his ability to bring to light the rich tapestry of Russian literature to an English-speaking audience. Phelps's literary style is characterized by clarity, warmth, and an unpretentious love for storytelling. Throughout his career, he remained a warm advocate for the joy of reading and the importance of literature in everyday life, which left a lasting impact on American cultural and educational spheres.