Joseph Jack Kwiat was born in New York City. He graduated from the University of Chicago in 1935. He earned an M.A. in 1940 from Northwestern University and one of the first Ph.D.'s in American studies from the University of Minnesota in 1950. He joined the faculty at the University in 1944 as an instructor in English. He was later promoted to professor of English and American studies. During his tenure at the University, Dr. Kwiat was awarded four Fulbright fellowships that allowed him to conduct research in Germany, Austria and England. Joseph Kwiat died in March 1997.
From the guide to the Joseph J. Kwiat papers, 1950s, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University Archives [uarc])