Edith Rickert (1871–1938) was an influential American medieval scholar and academic who served at the University of Chicago. Throughout her career, Rickert focused her research on Middle English literature, establishing herself as a prominent authority on the life and works of Geoffrey Chaucer. Her academic endeavors helped shape modern understanding of fourteenth-century English literature and the historical context surrounding its creators.
Rickert is best remembered for her monumental collaborative projects. She was instrumental in compiling the Chaucer Life-Records, a vital resource for biographical details on the poet. Additionally, her extensive textual analysis culminated in the landmark eight-volume work, The Text of the Canterbury Tales, published posthumously in 1940. This comprehensive study remains a cornerstone of Chaucerian scholarship, reflecting her dedication to rigorous archival research and textual criticism.
