"She arrived at the Iowa Workshop, already established as one of the world’s most distinguished writing programs, in 1989. She has become its figurehead. Students pack her seminars."

In this Times Online profile of workshop faculty member Marilynne Robinson, columnist Bryan Appleyard explores Robinson's evolution as a writer, her passion for "Obama, John Calvin, the history of Iowa and the Congregationalist church in Iowa City," as well as her award-winning work, spanning from fiction to non-fiction to critical essays. The article also offers a intimate portrait of Iowa City and Robinson's view of the city as an epicenter for literary culture.

Read >> Profile: Marilynne Robinson