TAMIU Faculty Member Produces New Scholarly Edition of Early 19th-Century Novel “Rothelan”
Dr. Adam Kozaczka, associate professor of English at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and Dr. Clare Simmons, professor of English at the Ohio State University, have collaborated on a scholarly edition of Scottish author John Galt’s 1824 novel, “Rothelan.”
The co-edited volume is published by Edinburgh University Press and will be available on May 31. The publication features a peer-reviewed introduction, four appendices of period-specific material, extensive explanatory notes, and thorough textual editing.
“Rothelan” is a historical novel written in 1824 but set in the fourteenth century, featuring an inheritance plot, Anglo-Scottish warfare, the Black Plague, and a sympathetic portrayal of Jewish characters that is unusual for the period.
John Galt (1779-1838) was a Scottish novelist, travel writer, and businessman who is currently being rediscovered as a result of a major project led by University of Toronto professor of English Dr. Angela Esterhammer, who received a Guggenheim Fellowship for her work rediscovering John Galt’s writings.
Kozaczka and Simmons’ edition of “Rothelan” has played a role in the formation of TAMIU students, several of whom worked as research assistants.
Among them are Manuel Alejandro Amozurrutia, who recently won the University’s Graduate Student of the Year award; and undergraduate research assistants, Sara Montiel and Jennifer Guerrero. Earlier stages of the project were also supported by undergraduate research assistants Leticia Arredondo and Joycelynn Hernández.
Their work offered valuable experiences and supported their development as budding scholars, explained Kozaczka.
“This achievement by these University students underscores the importance of the QEP’s LEARN program, which provides undergraduate research assistants to TAMIU professors while giving the students hands-on experience with serious scholarly projects,” said Kozaczka.
He emphasized, “The University’s Special Collections staff, especially Jeanette Hatcher, at Sue & Radcliffe Killam Library, also provided immense support by taking exceptionally clear scans of material from the 1824 first edition. This shows the TAMIU intellectual community coming together and making a mark on the study of 19th-century literature.”
The book is available for pre-order via the Edinburgh University Press’s website or on Amazon and Target among other book retailers.
For more information, please contact TAMIU's Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu.
Registration for TAMIU’s Summer and Fall 2026 is underway online via Uconnect.
For more information on TAMIU’s story, visit its social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube, and online at tamiu.edu.
