Princeton University celebrated Anne Carson, the Canadian poet and essayist who won the Nobel Prize in Literature, with a social media post and website congratulations following her award. The university also welcomed her back to campus a year ago for a well-attended Robert Fagles Lecture, drawing over 400 people. However, the praise sparked criticism on social media, with users pointing out that Princeton had denied Carson tenure in the 1980s—a decision she faced after teaching there as a classics professor.
Critics, including Princeton alum Ezra E. Fitz and author Joyce Carol Oates, expressed regret that Carson was not retained, noting her potential impact on students and the restrictive nature of tenure requirements. University officials declined to comment on the controversy or her departure, citing policy against discussing tenure decisions.
Carson’s agent did not respond to requests for comment. Her academic journey after Princeton included stints at Emory and McGill Universities. Despite the past tension, her recent visit was marked by warmth, including a special undergraduate course session and a featured illustration in a department newsletter.
Oates reflected on Carson’s freedom from academic constraints, suggesting tenure may have limited her creative path.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing