Dr. Helen Taylor, Humanities Hero

Dr. Helen Taylor, Humanities Hero, is a native of London, England and came to the United States more than 20 years ago to pursue graduate work. She holds a master’s degree in English literature from Clark University and a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. Since 1990, she has taught at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, where she is Director of the Master’s in Liberal Arts program and Professor of English.

According to Dr. Taylor, “The Humanities represent a nostalgia for the past, a comfort for the present, and a hope for the future. They show us where we’ve been, where we are, and where we want to get to. I’ve been very fortunate to have spent my career nurtured by the Muses, as I talk about books, history, and art with college students and with Prime Time families and help them use the humanities to think critically about the world and our place in it.”

Taylor’s research and publications focus on literature by women, and she has been involved with the LEH in various grant projects, including two Teacher Initiatives for Advanced Study. She also hosts a weekly cultural events show on the Red River Public Radio Network. In 2005 Dr. Taylor was honored by the LEH with a Special Humanities Award. She has been involved with PRIME TIME since 2001.

The LEH staff is privileged to work with Dr. Taylor, and we deeply appreciate her as our March Humanities Hero.