Joseph J. Feeney, S.J., Ph.D., is a leading expert on Gerard Manley Hopkins and Professor of English at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where has taught for over 40 years. After receiving an M.A. from Fordham University and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from Woodstock College, he earned a Ph.D. in English from the University of Pennsylvania. He has held Chairs at Georgetown University, Santa Clara University, and Seattle University.
Fr. Feeney wrote the book The Playfulness of Gerard Manley Hopkins (Ashgate, 2008), coedited Hopkins Variations: Standing round a Waterfall (Saint Joseph’s and Fordham University Presses, 2002), and has served since 1994 as coeditor of The Hopkins Quarterly. He has published over 100 articles and given over 75 lectures on Hopkins throughout the world. In 1998, he discovered in London an unknown poem by Hopkins, “Consule Jones” (1875). Fr. Feeney has also written articles on literature in such journals as The Times Literary Supplement, The New York Review of Books, American Studies, Thought, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Canada, and many more.
Fr. Feeney has received numerous awards, including two grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1983. In 2006 he was named a Fellow of the English Association (FEA) in England, and in 2009 was a Visiting Scholar lecturing at a Hopkins performance of Hopkins’ poetry by Theaterwork, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Ordained a Jesuit priest in 1965, he completed his Jesuit studies at St. Bueno’s College, where Gerard Manley Hopkins studied theology.
Praise for Joseph Feeney
“Fr. Joe Feeney is a pre-eminent scholar of the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins… But perhaps more importantly he’s a vocal interpreter/teacher of Hopkins, someone who feels and then transmits — and thus teaches — the poems: no one does better at making the poems come alive.”– Frank Fennell, Professor of English, Loyola University Chicago
“Father Joseph Feeney combines the skills of Hopkins scholar, literary critic, poetry interpreter and humanist, with those of raconteur, performer, wit, and playful brother Jesuit of Hopkins himself. Both hearty and sensitive, Feeney could make Hopkins laugh at himself at the same time that Gerard could feel fraternal sympathy and understanding.” – Dr. Joaquin Kuhn, University of Toronto
“As perhaps the leading global scholar of Hopkins, Fr. Feeney takes the complex and knotted works of the Victorian poet and brings them to urgent, electric life. He’s a masterful guide, and never tires of finding new richness in this great body of work.”– Steven Elwell, Saint Joseph’s University, ‘06
Fr. William –
GMH’s poetry was so well captured!
The depth and beauty of GMH’s poetry was so well captured by Fr. Feeney.
Robert –
Best source!
I could not find another source that would explain his poetry as lucidly and with such easy access.
Steve –
The poetry of Hopkins comes alive.
The poetry of Hopkins comes alive. Insightful and informative. The presenter is knowledgeable and engaging.
Patrick –
The presenter communicated his passion and love for the poetry of G.M. Hopkins.
The presenter communicated his passion and love for the poetry of G.M. Hopkins.
Sr. Sue –
the presenter Fr. Feeney, S.J., was very good.
I love writing poetry and I am studying other poets’ works for suggestions for my poetry’s presentation that make it profound but clear. The DVD (plus the study guide) was very helpful. Also, the presenter Fr. Feeney, S.J., was very good.
Pierre –
His talks were clear and enjoyable to listen to.
Fr. Feeney is an expert on Hopkins as well as an enthusiastic presenter. His talks were clear and enjoyable to listen to.
Sr. Sue –
Excellent
The course instructor was excellent. The way he interpreted and read them was truly expressive of the true meaning of the poem.
Marie B. rsj, AUSTRALIA –
Winter Survey: January 2017
Superb content and delivery testifying to the advertisement claiming the presenter as being a leading expert on GMH ! Marie Biddle rsj.
Thom D., PA –
Spring Survey: April 2017
Lively presentation and very detailed and complete study guide.
Donal M., Dublin, Ireland –
Summer Survey: July 2017
As a Jesuit priest Fr. Feeney has a great insight into Ignatian spirituality. This, combined with his wide reading in English literature gives the listener a wonderful experience of the poetry of G.M. Hopkins
Stephen A. S., NE –
2017 Christmas Survey
interesting subject well presented by a well-informed instructor