Paul C. Wermuth

Dr. Wermuth was a noted scholar and author, and was Emeritus Professor of American Literature at Northeastern University, where he taught for 25 years and was a former Chair of the Department. Dr. Wermuth received both his B.A. and M.A. from Boston University in 1951. He received his Ph.D from the Pennsylvania State University in 1955, where his doctoral dissertation was on the literary criticism of George Santayana. Over the course of his 40-plus-year teaching career, Dr. Wermuth was the author of hundreds of essays and reviews, and several books including Modern Essays on Writing and Style, a standard text for many years in undergraduate English courses. Dr. Wermuth also published a biography of Bayard Taylor, an immensely popular mid-nineteenth century American novelist, travel writer and poet in the Genteel Tradition. Dr. Wermuth especially enjoyed teaching his American Literature courses on Mark Twain, Henry James, American Realism, and Humor in American Literature. Dr. Wermuth began his teaching career at Clarkson University in New York, and also taught over the years at The College of William & Mary, Middlebury College and Central Connecticut State College (now University). Appointed in 1968 to the Chairmanship of the English Department at Northeastern University, Dr. Wermuth led the Department for seven years through a tumultuous era on college campuses. In 1975, he returned full-time to his first academic love, teaching writing and literature, until he retired in 1993. Prior to his academic career, Dr. Wermuth enlisted in the United States Army Air Force in 1943 at the age of 17, and served as a gunner-mechanic and instructor in the 3028th Army Air Force Base Unit until 1946, when he was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. He received the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon and World War II Victory Ribbon for his service.