E.D. Hirsch

American literary theorist who defended authorial intentionalism in interpretation — the meaning of a text is what the author intended — and argued for cultural literacy as a prerequisite for educational success.

Validity in Interpretation: literary meaning is determined by authorial intention; interpretations can be more or less valid; this standard is objective. Cultural Literacy: effective reading requires shared cultural background knowledge; the neglect of this shared knowledge disadvantages less privileged students.