Thomas Raynesford Lounsbury

Thomas Raynesford Lounsbury (1838–1915) was an American literary scholar and critic known for his work on English literature and language. He was a professor at Yale University, where he taught English language and literature and was instrumental in establishing English studies as a formal discipline in the United States. Lounsbury authored significant works, including "History of the English Language" and "Shakespeare as a Dramatic Artist," which reflect his scholarly interest in linguistic history and literary criticism. His detailed studies of Chaucer and other early English writers helped shape the academic approach to English literature in American universities.