When he was only 13 years old, Maurice M. Charney discovered his fascination with William Shakespeare’s work. With a desire to follow in his footsteps, Dr. Charney pursued a career in writing. He received a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Harvard University in 1949 and a Master of Arts from Princeton University in 1951. He went on to earn a Doctor of Philosophy from Princeton University in 1952. In 1953, he rose to prominence within his field as an instructor at Hunter College in New York City. He proceeded to serve as a distinguished professor of English at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, from 1956 to 2001. Although Dr. Charney retired in 2001 from academia, he continues to hone his craft and publish his work. Most recently, he authored “Shakespeare’s Style.”
Throughout the course of his celebrated career, Dr. Charney has exercised his passion for literature and art through several affiliations. He has served as a member of the Modern Language Association, Malone Society, Renaissance Society, Friends of Vic and Sade, and the Marlowe Society. Additionally, he has served as a member of the International Society for Humor Studies, “a scholarly and professional organization dedicated to the advancement of humor research.” Dr. Charney also served as president of the Shakespeare Association of America (1987-1988) and the Academy of Literary Studies (1985-1987). From 1986 to 1995, he sat on the board of directors of the Shakespeare Globe Center.
Among his many achievements, Dr. Charney is most proud of earning the title of distinguished professor at such an early age. He is also proud of his book about the nature of comedy, “Comedy High and Low: An Introduction to the Experience of Comedy.” Since entering the field, Dr. Charney has published more than 27 books. In recognition of his talent and contributions, Dr. Charney received the Medal of the City of Tours in France in 1989. Furthermore, Dr. Charney is listed in Marquis Who’s Who in Entertainment.
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