Thomas Edwards (critic)

Thomas Edwards (born c. 1928, died January 19, 2018) was an American literary critic and professor of English at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. He was known for his work on 18th-century English literature, particularly the works of Alexander Pope, as well as on Shakespeare and modern literature.

Edwards received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1957. He taught at Rutgers for over 40 years, becoming a distinguished professor. His scholarly contributions were characterized by close readings and insightful interpretations of literary texts.

His published works include:

• This Dark Estate: A Reading of Pope (1963)
• Imagination and Power: A Study of Poetry on Public Themes (1971)
• Poetry and Possibility (1988)
• Afterword on Rupert Brooke (1995)

Edwards' work is generally regarded as being theoretically informed without being overtly doctrinaire, and appreciated for its clarity and precision. He sought to illuminate the complexities of literature through attentive analysis, offering fresh perspectives on canonical works. He also published numerous essays and articles in academic journals. He was a respected and influential figure in the field of literary criticism.