Winchester Academy presents cultural scholar
Doug Northrop will present “Courtesy, a Brief History, or What’s the Matter with Kids Today?” at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 26, at the Waupaca Area Public Library.
The free program is sponsored by Winchester Academy.
Northrop, retired professor of English and cultural studies at Ripon College, began his scholarly interest in courtesy with English Renaissance literature, specifically Spenser’s poem, The Faerie Queene, and he became intrigued by Book Six, the Book of Courtesy.
That study of courtesy led to an examination of courtesy manuals and courtesy novels of the 18th century up to modern times, touching on Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Virginia Wolf, and Oscar Wilde.
In his program, Northrop will explore what courtesy has meant historically and how changes in gender roles, class structure and economic circumstances impact our ideas and practices of courteous behavior. These issues continue into the 21st century in various works of contemporary fiction.
Northrop received his bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Chicago.
He taught at Ripon College from 1960-2012 and served as dean of faculty for 17 years. He has published widely on Edmund Spenser, John Milton and Shakespeare and has presented papers at regional conferences on cultural topics.
Winchester Academy is funded through sponsors and tax-deductible donations.
For more information about Winchester Academy, check winchesteracademywaupaca.org, follow the group on Facebook, or contact Executive Director Ann Buerger Linden at 715-258-2927 or [email protected].