Peter Gilbert

A graduate of Dartmouth, the University of Virginia (MA English), and Georgetown University Law Center, Peter was Executive Director of the Vermont Humanities Council for 15 years. He is a former English teacher at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, litigator at Hale and Dorr in Boston, Senior Assistant to Dartmouth President James O. Freedman, and frequent commentator on VPR. He enjoys reading, hiking, and building stone walls.

Frost in Winter (Winter Term 2025)

Participant Testimonials: 

I look forward to Peter's class each year! Needless to say, my personal expectations and objectives were more than fully met.  Peter, please prepare another class of Robert Frost's poems.  We are so incredible fortunate that you have landed here at Dartmouth!  Thank you!

Peter is a master at pacing.  He knows how to slowly engage our thinking, keep the class totally engaged ( even during breaks I was thinking about last poem’s discussion) and wind down at the end — but without slowing our engagement!  Masterful!

Frost in Summer—A Few Months Early (Spring Term 2024)

Participant Testimonials: 

I like a course in which the leader gives time for plenty of class discussion and input, and Peter was a pro at this.

Peter is so skilled in generating and eliciting comments and thoughts from our class. He has raised my consciousness and appreciation for poetry (in general, not just for Robert Frost's work). 

Frost in Spring (Spring Term 2023)

Participant Testimonials:

I had high hopes and they were more than fulfilled - thanks to a brilliant study leader and a great group of participants.

Peter’s insights were very helpful in my understanding of Frost’s poetry.

Peter Gilbert is a superb teacher. He creates a casual, comfortable feeling in his classroom; he is respectful of all our voices. He is an expert on Frost. What could be better?!

Frost in the Winter (Winter Term 2023)

Participant Testimonials:

I was delighted in every aspect of the course. Peter was an exceptional leader; the class members were engaged and knowledgeable.

Excellent job of building our skills in looking at Frost’s poetry.

This course helped to deepen my understanding and appreciation of Frost’s poetry.
Everyone who wanted to speak had an opportunity.