Vera R. Foley specializes in nineteenth-century literature by women; her research and teaching interests include American studies; gender, women; sexuality studies; environmental studies; and folk and fairy tales. She earned her doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a focus on American women writers of the antebellum and Civil War eras.

Her dogs Prynne and Bingley (he of the profile picture) are crucial members of her research and teaching team...