Indiana University. School of Letters

The School of Letters was originally created by John Crowe Ransom, F.O. Matthiessen, and Lionel Trilling as a part of the School of English at Kenyon College. When support from the Rockefeller Foundation ended, the program moved to Indiana University in the summer of 1951. Supported by a similar grant from IU, the School of Letters began as a summer program, but expanded into a full-year program in the fall of 1961. The School of Letters remained distinct from the English department because of its contribution to the study of literary theory and criticism. According to Stallknecht, The School of Letters emphasized practical criticism over the biographical and historical approaches to the study of literature common in the departments of English and Comparative Literature. The program grew to international acclaim and was able to attract guest lecturers from the eminent scholars of the world. The program was phased out after the 1972 session, following Stallknecht's resignation as Director.

The School of Letters originated at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. When financial support from the Rockefeller Foundation ended, the program moved to Indiana University in the summer of 1951.

While it began as a summer program, the School of Letters expanded into a full-year program in the fall of 1961. According to long-time director Newton P. Stallknecht, the program remained distinct from the English department because it emphasized practical criticism over the biographical and historical apporaches to the study of literature. The program was phased out after the 1972 session, following Stallknecht's resignation.