Myra Reynolds (1853–1936) was an American literary scholar and educator who dedicated her career to the study and teaching of English literature. Born in Troupsburg, New York, Reynolds began her academic journey at a normal school in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, from 1867 to 1870. She later entered Vassar College, graduating with an AB in 1880. Following her graduation, she gained valuable teaching experience at Wells College, where she served as the head of the English department, as well as at the Free Academy in Corning, New York, and her alma mater, Vassar.
In 1895, Reynolds achieved a significant milestone by earning her PhD in English from the University of Chicago. She remained at the university, building a distinguished academic career that culminated in her appointment as a full professor in 1911. During her tenure, she became a highly regarded figure on campus, particularly for her popular course "Masterpieces in English Literature," which she began teaching as an assistant professor in the late 1890s.
As a literary scholar, Reynolds specialized in English poetry, with an early focus on the works of William Wordsworth. Throughout her career, she published scholarly writings on English poetry and edited well-received selections of works by prominent Victorian poets, including Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and Robert Browning. Reynolds retired from active teaching in 1923, subsequently moving to the Pasadena area in California. She passed away in Los Angeles in 1936, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated scholarship and teaching.
