University of Toronto
Anthony J. Fredette studied classical philology at Fresno Pacific University before pursuing an M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Toronto’s Centre for Medieval Studies. His work centred on the editing of medieval Latin commentaries on classical poets and the influence which these texts exerted on medieval Latin, French, and Occitan literature. His dissertation, “The Medieval Thebaid,” applied these general concerns to the specific context of Statius’ epic poem on the theme of the Seven Against Thebes, revealing the crucial role played by medieval methods of reading and teaching the Thebaid on – among other genres – the birth of the Old French romance.
Research related to commentary
Dr. Fredette is currently involved in two projects – one individual and one collaborative – editing twelfth-century commentaries on Vergil and Statius. He has also completed a study of William of Conches’ commentary on Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy, revealing its presence in an Anglo-Norman romance.