Marcia Folsom, a distinguished literary scholar and longtime member of the Wheelock College faculty, passed away on April 16, 2025, at her home in Boston’s South End.

Dr. Folsom taught at Wheelock College from 1969 until her retirement in 2017, earning tenure in 1981. In 1986, she was appointed professor of literature, and she acted as chair of arts and sciences from 1986 to 1993. She also served as vice president for academic affairs from 1993 to 1997.

A specialist in English literature and feminist studies, Dr. Folsom co-edited By Women: An Anthology of Literature and published influential work on the depiction of women in Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene. Her courses ranged from the Renaissance to the 19th-century novel, and her scholarship consistently explored the voices and experiences of women in literature.

Beyond her teaching and scholarship, Dr. Folsom contributed to the broader academic and cultural community. She served on the board of the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, preserving and promoting knowledge and history, and was deeply involved in initiatives that enriched her South End neighborhood.

A memorial service was held on June 14, 2025, at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Museum, The Environmental Defense Fund, The Southern Poverty Law Center, or Rosie’s Place.

Read more about Dr. Folsom’s life and accomplishments.