Where did Margaret Atwood go to college?
As one of the most celebrated contemporary Canadian writers, Margaret Atwood’s acclaimed works include renowned novels like The Handmaid’s Tale, Cat’s Eye, and The Blind Assassin. But before achieving literary fame, Atwood pursued her higher education at several universities in Canada that nurtured the development of her creative voice and feminist perspective. Her college experiences provided important knowledge and inspiration that informed her later writing. This essay will provide an overview of Margaret Atwood’s educational background at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Undergraduate Studies at Victoria College
For her undergraduate education, Margaret Atwood attended Victoria College at the University of Toronto, graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor’s degree focused on English, philosophy, and French. According to Atwood’s biography, her studies at Victoria College expanded her perspective and awareness of pressing social issues, shaping her early development as a writer. She found particular inspiration in a course on North American literature taught by professor Jay Macpherson, who encouraged Atwood’s poetry writing. This nurturing of Atwood’s creative potential proved formative.
Graduate Studies at Radcliffe College
Atwood continued her studies at Harvard’s Radcliffe College from 1962-1963, pursuing a Master’s degree in English Literature while also discovering the budding Boston poetry scene. This immersion in poetic communities, as well as the influence of professors like poet Kenneth Koch, further enriched her artistic experience. Radcliffe College provided vital exposure to contemporary literary movements that contributed to Atwood’s growth.
Master's Degree at the University of Toronto
Returning to Canada, Atwood went on to earn her Master’s degree from the University of Toronto in 1965, with her thesis focused on Victorian literature and the Gothic tradition. This allowed Atwood to deepen her knowledge of 19th century writing while developing scholarly research skills to support her art. Her academic background informed genres Atwood explored in seminal novels like The Edible Woman.
The Impact of Education on Atwood's Writing
From her undergraduate years at the University of Toronto’s Victoria College where her creative talents were first nurtured, to her graduate studies at Radcliffe College and the University of Toronto, Margaret Atwood’s educational path provided diverse literary and scholarly development. These formative college experiences supplied Atwood with knowledge, mentors, exposure to poetic communities, and academic research skills that enriched her writing. Her success illustrates the value of a well-rounded arts education.
