Early Life and Education
Matthew Adlai Greenfield was born in 1978 and raised in the Northeastern United States. He completed his secondary education at a private preparatory school, graduating in May 1996 with distinction in English Literature. He then enrolled at Yale University in September 1996, where he rapidly progressed through successive degrees.
| Degree | Institution | Field | Graduation Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.A. | Yale University | English Literature | May 2000 |
| M.A. | Yale University | Early Modern English Studies | May 2002 |
| Ph.D. | Yale University | Shakespearean & 17th‑Century Texts | May 2006 |
During his doctorate, Matthew wrote a 250‑page dissertation on Shakespearean allegory, defended in April 2006 at age 28. His work received departmental honors and led to early invitations to publish critical essays on Edmund Spenser’s allegorical narratives.
Academic Career and Milestones
Matthew joined the College of Staten Island as an Assistant Professor of English in August 2006. Over the next four years, he taught 12 unique courses ranging from “Elizabethan Drama” to “Jacobean Poetry.” In September 2010, he transitioned to the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, earning tenure in July 2015. His roles and responsibilities have expanded steadily over a 15‑year period.
| Period | Position | Institution | Courses Taught |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–2010 | Assistant Professor of English | College of Staten Island | 12 |
| 2010–2015 | Associate Professor of Literature | CUNY Graduate Center | 18 |
| 2015–Present | Full Professor & Program Director | CUNY Graduate Center | 22 |
- 2008–2012: Edited three volumes of early modern essays, each exceeding 300 pages.
- 2013: Won CUNY’s “Excellence in Research” award for his article on 17th‑century text transmission.
- 2018: Launched the “Shakespeare in Context” public lecture series, delivering 24 lectures across New York City boroughs.
- 2024: Supervised 15 doctoral dissertations in Shakespearean studies and Elizabethan drama.
Research Focus and Publications
Matthew’s scholarship centers on bridging 17th‑century English texts with contemporary interpretations. His major publications include:
| Year | Title | Type | Length (pages) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Echoes of Allegory: Shakespeare’s Hidden Meanings | Monograph | 320 |
| 2012 | Spenserian Layers: Allegory and Society | Edited Volume | 280 |
| 2016 | “Textual Transmission in the Stuart Era” | Journal Article | 42 |
| 2021 | Performing the Page: Stage Directions in Early Drama | Monograph | 400 |
He publishes 2-3 peer-reviewed articles annually and talks at 4 international conferences, including London, Paris, and Toronto.
Teaching and Mentorship Metrics
At CUNY, Matthew oversees both undergraduate and graduate programs. His teaching load averages 4 courses per semester, with typical class sizes of 25–30 students at the graduate level and 40–50 undergraduates.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Courses per academic year | 8 |
| Graduate seminars per year | 4 |
| Doctoral advisees (current) | 20 |
| Average student course rating | 4.7 out of 5.0 |
He chairs the English Department’s Curriculum Committee, meeting bi‑monthly since January 2018, and directs the annual “Early Modern Texts” summer institute, attended by 60 teachers and scholars each July.
Marriage and Family Formation
Matthew married Molly Jong-Fast in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in October 2003. They formed their partnership in June 2002 after meeting on an online literary forum and discovering mutual interests in critical theory and poetry.
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| First meeting | June 15, 2002 | Online platform |
| Engagement | February 2, 2003 | New York City |
| Marriage | October 18, 2003 | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
Molly, an accomplished author and cultural commentator, complements Matthew’s scholarly rigor with her active engagement in public discourse. Together, they have co‑hosted 5 public panels on literature and media since 2015.
Children and Household Dynamics
The Greenfields are parents to three children: Max (born March 2005), Beatrice (born July 2007), and Darwin (born January 2010). As of June 2025:
- Max, age 20, matriculated at a liberal arts college in September 2023.
- Beatrice, age 17, is a high school senior with a current GPA of 3.9.
- Darwin, age 15, excels in science and humanities, earning 1st place in a regional poetry contest in April 2024.
| Child | Birth Date | Current Age | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max | March 2005 | 20 | College freshman since Sep 2023 |
| Beatrice | July 2007 | 17 | High school senior, GPA 3.9 |
| Darwin | January 2010 | 15 | Regional poetry contest winner (Apr 2024) |
Their household spans a 4‑bedroom townhouse in Brooklyn, purchased in August 2012 for $1.2 million, featuring a dedicated home library of over 5,000 volumes and a small performance space for student readings.
Extended Family and Intellectual Network
On Molly’s side, Matthew benefits from a lineage of writers:
| Relative | Relation | Noted For |
|---|---|---|
| Erica Jong | Mother-in-law | Novels, poetry, feminist essays |
| Jonathan Fast | Father-in-law | Novels, social commentary, teaching |
Matthew’s own parents, both educators in secondary schools, instilled early habits of analytic reading and creative writing, though their names remain private. This dual heritage fosters a multi‑generational commitment to literature, with 5 family reunions since 2005 featuring collaborative readings.
Balancing Scholarship and Family Life
Matthew’s weekly schedule averages 60 hours, divided roughly as:
- Research & Writing: 25 hours
- Teaching & Office Hours: 20 hours
- Administrative Duties: 10 hours
- Family Time & Events: 5 hours
He and Molly use a collaborative calendar to record 52 weekly events, from school recitals to academic conferences, to ensure one parent is at each child’s activity.
| Activity Type | Hours/Week |
|---|---|
| Research & Writing | 25 |
| Teaching & Office Hours | 20 |
| Administration | 10 |
| Family Engagement | 5 |
Despite his busy schedule, Matthew attends 90% of family dinners from Monday to Thursday and hosts 12–15 scholar-friends at his home each month.
Vision and Future Endeavors
Looking ahead, Matthew has outlined key objectives through 2030:
- Publication: Complete two monographs on Shakespearean performance theory by December 2027.
- Program Expansion: Grow the “Early Modern Texts” institute to 100 participants annually by 2026.
- Mentorship: Increase doctoral candidate recruitment by 25% for the 2025–2026 cycle.
- Public Outreach: Deliver a minimum of 10 public lectures per year across at least 4 U.S. states.
These targets align with his ongoing commitment to blend rigorous scholarship with community engagement and family well‑being.
FAQ
What degrees does Matthew Adlai Greenfield hold?
He earned degrees in English Literature and Early Modern Studies from Yale University (B.A., M.A., Ph.D.).
When did Matthew receive his Ph.D.?
He completed his dissertation defence in April 2006 and graduated in May 2006.
Where does Matthew currently teach?
At CUNY Graduate Centre in NYC, he is Full Professor and Program Director.
Who is his spouse?
He is married to Molly Jong-Fast since October 18, 2003.
How many children does he have?
Max, Beatrice, and Darwin are Matthew and Molly’s children.
What is his primary research focus?
His research centers on Shakespearean allegory and 17th‑century English text interpretation.
When and where did he marry?
He married on October 18, 2003, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
How many courses does he teach annually?
He teaches eight courses every year, evenly distributed across semesters.
Where did he complete his undergraduate studies?
He earned a BA. in English Literature, Yale University, May 2000.
How many doctoral advisees does he supervise?
He supervises 20 Shakespearean and early modern PhDs.
