Allen, John Alexander

A native of Chevy Chase, MD, John Alexander "Lex" Allen was born April 25, 1922. He received his B.A. from Swarthmore College (1943) and earned a B. A. (1948) and an M.A. (1954) degree from Oxford University. In 1954, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina. He taught English at Swathmore, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Rochester before coming to Hollins in 1955. Poet, critic, and teacher, Allen taught at Hollins College (now University) for 37 years (1955-1992) in the English Department. Courses taught included Shakespeare, The writing of poetry and fiction, and Chaucer, as well as courses in the Master of Arts and Liberal Studies program. He was also the acting chair of English Department for 1967-68 and chair 1968-1970. The focus of his academic interests was the study of archetypal themes and images in literature. In addition to publishing critical essays and poetry publications such as the New York Times, Shakespeare Quarterly, New Virginia Review, and The Hollins Critic, he authored or edited several monographic works including Pisimire agoniste and other poems (Tinker Press, 1964), The lean divider (Golden Quill Press, 1968), and Hero's way: contemporary poems in the mythic tradition (Prentice-Hall, 1971). Allen retired in 1992 and died December 21, 1993 at the age of 71.