John Lamb, associate professor in the West Virginia University Department of English, is assuming the reins of the departments prestigious journal on Victorian verse.

Dr. Lamb replaces Hayden Ward as editor of Victorian Poetry. Ward, who has retired, was editor of the publication since 1990.

Victorian Poetry is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal devoted to British and colonial poetics of the Victorian age (1830-1914). It is published by the WVU Press.

Lamb has been an assistant editor of Victorian Poetry since joining the WVU English faculty in 1990. In that position, he evaluated manuscript submissions and assisted with both editorial decisions and editing.

As the new editor, he will be assisted by Donald Hall, the Jackson Family Chair of English and a consulting editor for the journal.

Professor Hall and I will be exploring everything from giving the journal a �€~new lookto trying to increase its manuscript submissions by exploring the trans-Atlantic and cross-channel connections between Victorian poetry and other 19th-century literatures,Lamb said.

Victorian Poetry has a long and illustrious history as one of the premier scholarly journals in Victorian studies, and it is our intention to continue and build on the work of our predecessors,he added.

Timothy Adams, chairman of the Department of English, commended Ward on his leadership of the journal and applauded Lambs appointment.

The English Department and the world of Victorian literature are extremely grateful for Hayden Wards editorship of Victorian Poetry, one of the most important journals in the field,Adams said.

Were very pleased that such an experienced and thoughtful person as John Lamb will be taking over the duties of editor of the journal, and we look forward to his maintaining and enhancing the reputation of the journal, which brings international acclaim to the English Department, the Eberly College and WVU ,Adams added.