B, Eugene McCarthy has a degree in English and a Master’s from the University of Detroit. He took his PhD at the University of Kansas in 1965. He taught a full range of undergraduate courses at Holy Cross College until his retirement in 2000.

His interest then moved toward poetry of the 18th Century and he began teaching first-year, introductory courses in poetry, teaming with poet Fran Quinn to develop an approach to poetry that also informed upper-level literature courses.

He has been an editor of The Worcester Review and participates in the Milton Ensemble which offers dramatic performances of books of Paradise Lost each year.