MASTER OF FINE ARTS

[HISTORY]

It takes a great deal of history,” wrote Henry James, “to produce a little literature.” From Anne Bradstreet to Phillis Wheatley to Poe to Longfellow—and through James himself to Lowell and Bishop—Boston has been either a starting point or a residence for writers whose work makes up the heart of American literature. Today, Robert Pinsky, Derek Walcott, Seamus Heaney, Sue Miller, Ha Jin, Susannah Kaysen, Gish Jen, James Carroll, Dennis Lehane, and many other visitors and residents share in creating a vibrant literary community in and around the city. Small presses, magazines, myriad bookstores, readings, and other literary events thrive here, as do students in one of the largest academic communities in the country.

MFA entering class 2007, L to R:   Greg Stenta, Joleen Westerdale, Kris Evans, Jeremy Lakaszcyck, Barbara Perez, Jeffrey Taylor, Jennifer De Leon, Lily Rabinoff-Goldman, Shea Mullaney, George Kovach. Missing from photo: Barbara Neely