Jessy Randall: Bridging the Gap Between Archives and Art
Jessy Randall is a multifaceted American intellectual who seamlessly blends the meticulous world of historical preservation with the imaginative realm of creative writing. As an archivist—a professional dedicated to preserving and managing historical records—and the curator of special collections at Colorado College, Randall uses her access to the past to fuel a prolific literary career. Her work, spanning poems, novels, and chapbooks (small, pamphlet-like collections of poetry), frequently explores the intersection of science and science fiction, with a particular emphasis on the overlooked contributions of women.
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Early Inspirations and Academic Foundation
Born in 1969 in Hornell, New York, and raised in Rochester, Randall's intellectual curiosity was sparked early in her local elementary school library. She spent much of her childhood reading biographies of women, most notably Dr. Elizabeth: The Story of the First Woman Doctor by Patricia Clapp. This book initially inspired her to pursue medicine, though she later realized she lacked an interest in anatomical dissection. This realization shifted her passion toward the act of research itself, and the legacy of Elizabeth Blackwell continued to influence her work for years to come.
Randall's academic journey provided a strong foundation for her dual career in library science and literature:
- 1988: Graduated from Brighton High School in Rochester, New York.
- 1992: Earned a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University, where she studied under the renowned poet Kenneth Koch.
- 1994: Obtained a Master of Library Science from UNC-Chapel Hill.
A Career in Curation and Historical Justice
In 2001, Randall became the Curator of Special Collections for the Tutt Library at Colorado College. Beyond her administrative duties, she shares her expertise by teaching a course titled "The History and Future of the Book."
Her role as an archivist has occasionally led to significant social impact. In 2017, while working within the library archives, Randall uncovered evidence regarding William F. Slocum, a former president of Colorado College who retired in 1917. Her research revealed testimonials and evidence of sexual harassment and assault perpetrated by Slocum against multiple women. Randall documented these findings on a university blog titled The Slocum Affair. This archival discovery sparked a student-led movement to rename campus buildings and titles previously associated with Slocum, demonstrating the power of archives to correct historical narratives.
Exploring Science Through Poetry
Randall's literary contributions are deeply intertwined with her interest in science. Beginning in 2002, she submitted science fiction-themed poetry to Analog Science Fiction and Fact magazine. While her first piece, "Hertha Ayrton," was not selected for publication until 2019, it served as the catalyst for a broader project celebrating women in STEM.
The "Women in Science" Series
This passion culminated in a poetry series focused on female scientists. The first volume, Mathematics for Ladies (2022), takes its title from a Soviet-era term for theoretical mathematics. In the Soviet Union, engineering was viewed as a "masculine pursuit," and women were barred from practicing it; consequently, they were steered toward theoretical mathematics. Randall continued this exploration with the 2025 publication, The Path of Most Resistance.
Awards and Literary Recognition
Throughout her career, Randall's work has been recognized by various literary and scientific organizations. Her 2007 book A Day in Boyland was a finalist for the Colorado Book Awards, and her poem "Why I Had Children" gained unique visibility in 2013 when the government of Sydney, Australia, featured it on the city's sanitation vehicles.
Her science-focused poetry has earned prestigious accolades, including:
- Analog Science Fiction and Fact Analytical Laboratory Awards: A nomination for "Hertha Ayrton" (2019) and second place for "Ada Lovelace" (2024).
- British Science Fiction Association: Mathematics for Ladies was longlisted in the non-fiction category in 2023.
- Otherwise Award: The Path of Most Resistance was named to the honor list of five awardees in 2025.
- Ms. Magazine: Named The Path of Most Resistance as one of the best works of poetry for 2025/2026.
Selected Bibliography
The following table summarizes key publications from Jessy Randall's extensive body of work.
| Year | Title | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Dorothy Surrenders | 2River |
| 2004 | Slumber Party At The Aquarium | Unicorn Press |
| 2007 | A Day in Boyland | Ghost Road Press |
| 2009 | The Wandora Unit | Ghost Road Press |
| 2012 | Injecting Dreams Into Cows | Red Hen Press |
| 2016 | Suicide Hotline Hold Music | Red Hen Press |
| 2018 | How to Tell If You Are Human: Diagram Poems | Pleiades Press |
| 2022 | Mathematics for Ladies: Poems on Women in Science | MIT Press |
| 2025 | The Path of Most Resistance: Poems on Women in Science | MIT Press |