author
Fred Lewis Pattee
1863–1950
A pioneering scholar of American literature, he helped shape the subject as an academic field while also leaving a lasting mark on Penn State through its alma mater. His career joined teaching, criticism, and writing in a way that made literary history feel like a living story.
1 Audiobook
A History of American Literature Since 1870
by Fred Lewis Pattee
About the author
Born in Bristol, New Hampshire, in 1863, Fred Lewis Pattee studied at Dartmouth College and went on to become an American author, literary scholar, and teacher. He is widely associated with Pennsylvania State College, where he taught English and American literature for decades.
Pattee is often remembered as one of the earliest professors devoted specifically to American literature, and his books helped establish the field for students and general readers alike. Alongside his scholarly work, he also wrote the lyrics to the Penn State alma mater, a sign of how closely his life became tied to the university.
He died in 1950, but his influence continued through his criticism, literary histories, and Penn State legacy, including Pattee Library, which was named in his honor.