John Fabian Witt
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johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt
@johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
2.7K followers 550 following 120 posts

Duffy Prof @YaleLawSch, legal history. Germantown born and bred. Fisherman, orchardist, baseball. Profile photo sitdowners park in Flint. The Radical Fund is out from Simon & Schuster.

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John Fabian Witt is Allen H. Duffy Class of 1960 Professor of Law at Yale Law School. He is the author of Lincoln’s Code: The Laws of War in American History, which won the 2013 Bancroft Prize in history of the Americas and, in 2020, American Contagions: Epidemics and the Law from Smallpox to COVID-19. .. more

Political science 44%
Law 25%
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johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Oct 1

Reposted by John Fabian Witt

zelizer.bsky.social
Julian Zelizer @zelizer.bsky.social · 4d
@johnfabianwitt.bsky.social

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · 9d
Always fun to talk to @profmmurray.bsky.social — esp about The Radical Fund! @simonandschuster.bsky.social
velshimsnow.bsky.social "Velshi" on MS NOW @velshimsnow.bsky.social · 9d
A century ago, a band of visionary progressives achieved success challenging inequality, economic upheaval, and threats to democracy. Historian @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social argues their genius was in “organizing tens of millions of working-class Americans” to make democracy work. #Velshi
Lessons from the 1920s: Uniting diverse liberals to save American democracy
As the year ends, we look at how America’s “results-now” mentality is eroding democracy and what a 1920’s reform movement can teach us today. A century ago, during a previous Gilded Age, a band of visionary progressives achieved success challenging inequality, economic upheaval, and threats to democracy. Historian John Fabian Witt argues their genius was in “organizing tens of millions of working-class Americans” across racial lines to make democracy work.
www.msnbc.com

Reposted by John Fabian Witt

velshimsnow.bsky.social
"Velshi" on MS NOW @velshimsnow.bsky.social · 9d
A century ago, a band of visionary progressives achieved success challenging inequality, economic upheaval, and threats to democracy. Historian @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social argues their genius was in “organizing tens of millions of working-class Americans” to make democracy work. #Velshi
Lessons from the 1920s: Uniting diverse liberals to save American democracy
As the year ends, we look at how America’s “results-now” mentality is eroding democracy and what a 1920’s reform movement can teach us today. A century ago, during a previous Gilded Age, a band of visionary progressives achieved success challenging inequality, economic upheaval, and threats to democracy. Historian John Fabian Witt argues their genius was in “organizing tens of millions of working-class Americans” across racial lines to make democracy work.
www.msnbc.com

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · 9d
Nice note on The Radical Fund in the @nytimes.com! Missed it last week. “Engrossing” sounds good! @simonandschuster.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/b...

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · 13d
I suppose people who get paid to process like process? For sure every therapist I’ve ever had likes the idea! Lawyers too. Anyway, go Phillies! ⚾️

Reposted by Samuel Moyn, David S. Cohen

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · 13d
This one was fun to write: did 2025 put a final stake thru the heart of the process school? Or was it maybe the beginning of a revival? (Take our course this spring for more!) @yalelawschool-yls.bsky.social @samuelmoyn.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/o...
Opinion | The Year America Blew Up the Process
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by John Fabian Witt

robertltsai.bsky.social
Robert L. Tsai @robertltsai.bsky.social · 22d
Finkelman reviews @bradsnyderprof.bsky.social for @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social: “Snyder details Herndon’s legal odyssey with great insight. He does not make the point directly but provides the evidence that good lawyering matters.”

Reposted by Julie Novkov, John Fabian Witt

legalhistoryblog.bsky.social
Legal History Blog @legalhistoryblog.bsky.social · 22d
William E. Nelson
William E. Nelson (NYU) William E. Nelson, the Judge Edward Weinfeld Professor of Law Emeritus at the New York University School of Law, has died.  His influence within the field of American legal history far exceeds the enormous influence of his publications, including the pathbreaking Americanization of the Common Law: The Impact of Legal Change on Massachusetts Society, 1760-1830 (Harvard University Press, 1975), through his direction of NYU's Legal History Colloquium and Samuel I. Golieb Fellowship in Legal History.  Early tributes have called him "an absolutely remarkable force" and "a giant" in the field, as well as a great father, husband, and citizen.  Many recall his invitation to participate in the colloquium or some other act of scholarly generosity as a decisive moment in their careers, especially when it came when they were a novice or otherwise uncertain of their status as a legal historian.  He remained an active scholar after going emeritus.  An on-line, works-in-progress workshop, over which he presided was on-going at his death.   --Dan Ernst 
dlvr.it

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · 27d
I'll be at Harvard Book Store this eve at 7 pm, in conversation with @noahrfeldman.bsky.social about The Radical Fund. Among other things, my best effort in 30 years to capture the history of the law in all its multifariousness. Join us!
@harvardbookstore.bsky.social @simonandschuster.bsky.social

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Dec 6
Thanks!!

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Dec 3
Hey New Haven join the conversation with Kica Matos @nilc.org and me about The Radical Fund, 6:30 this evening at Possible Futures on Edgewood. Liberals and leftists in political exile, a century ago and today. Should be fun! possiblefuturesbooks.com/events/39805...
12/3 Book Talk with John Fabian Witt: The Radical Fund | Possible Futures
beloved community, neighborhood bookspace, independent bookstore
possiblefuturesbooks.com

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Nov 21
Many thanks to the @brennancenter.org for compelling conversation about #TheRadicalFund this week. Esp nice to reconnect with former student Lauren Miller Karalunas @yalelawschool-yls.bsky.social

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Nov 19
If only there were a story about someone with $1 million giving it away . . . . #TheRadicalFund
brendannyhan.bsky.social Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · Nov 19
Like someone with a $1M net worth giving away $1,090... mostly to themselves

Reposted by John Fabian Witt

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · Nov 19
Like someone with a $1M net worth giving away $1,090... mostly to themselves

Reposted by John Fabian Witt

jonwiener.bsky.social
Jon Wiener @jonwiener.bsky.social · Nov 13
The 1920s had some striking things in common with our own ominous political world today—starting with "gates being shut after several decades of really extraordinary immigration the US"— @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social – on @thenation.com podcast bit.ly/4ozD5dV @simonbooks.bsky.social

Reposted by John Fabian Witt

jonwiener.bsky.social
Jon Wiener @jonwiener.bsky.social · Nov 13
How a band of visionaries and a million dollars upended America – in the 1920s, which had some remarkable similarities to our own era: Historian @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social explains – on @thenation.com podcast bit.ly/4ozD5dV

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Nov 12
In Detroit for the ASLH conference? I'm at the Fraser Center Wayne State at 4 pm this afternoon to talk about the archives that brought the story of #TheRadicalFund to life. @reutherlibrary.bsky.social labor.wayne.edu/event-flyers...
labor.wayne.edu

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Nov 12
Interesting and fun convo with @jonwiener.bsky.social and @thenation.com about resonances between the 2020s and the 1920s: www.thenation.com/podcast/arch...
Mamdani’s Momentum, Plus “The Radical Fund”
On Start Making Sense: Bhaskar Sunkara comments on the tasks facing New York City’s new socialist mayor, and historian John Fabian Witt talks about left politics in the 1920s.
www.thenation.com

Reposted by Julian E. Zelizer

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Nov 7
Smart questions from @zelizer.bsky.social in this conversation earlier today. Did the right co-opt progressives’ most generative 20th c tactics? #TheRadicalFund

open.substack.com/pub/johnfabi...
Interview with John Fabian Witt, author of The Radical Fund: How a Band of Visionaries and a Million Dollars Upended America
A recording from John Fabian Witt and Julian Zelizer's live video
open.substack.com

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Nov 6
I'm at the Warren Center @harvard.edu today at 4 pm in Robinson Hall's lower library to talk about The Radical Fund. Come on out. I promise good pictures!

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Nov 6
Lookong back to look ahead—thoughtful and revelatory by @nickperkins.bsky.social on Mamdani and Walter Lippmann.
jacobin.com/2025/11/lunn...

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Nov 4
Harlem Congressman Vito Marcantonio is Mamdani’s closing message—and practiced at the Garland Fund’s law firm. Of course. #TheRadicalFund is all around us. @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
zohrankmamdani.bsky.social Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · Nov 4
UNTIL IT’S DONE, Ep. 5: Vito Marcantonio

There are many who dismiss our vision for New York as impossible. To them, I say we need look only to our past for proof of how we can shape the future.

Tomorrow is Election Day. And this is the final Until It's Done of our campaign.

Reposted by Cas Mudde, Naomi Klein, Colin F. Camerer , and 7 more

zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · Nov 4
UNTIL IT’S DONE, Ep. 5: Vito Marcantonio

There are many who dismiss our vision for New York as impossible. To them, I say we need look only to our past for proof of how we can shape the future.

Tomorrow is Election Day. And this is the final Until It's Done of our campaign.

Reposted by John Fabian Witt

samuelmoyn.bsky.social
Samuel Moyn @samuelmoyn.bsky.social · Nov 3
TOC, "Gerontocracy in America" (June 2026)
us.macmillan.com/books/978037...

Reposted by John Fabian Witt

bensoskis.bsky.social
Benjamin Soskis @bensoskis.bsky.social · Nov 3
New HistPhil post: David Pozen continues our book forum on @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social' s The Radical Fund, questioning whether, given evolution in nonprofit law since the fund's heydey, it can serve as a model for contemporary philanthropy seeing to "upend America."

histphil.org/2025/11/03/c...
Could a Garland Fund 2.0 Upend the United States Today?
Editors’ Note: David Pozen continues HistPhil’s book forum on John Witt’s The Radical Fund: How a Band of Visionaries and a Million Dollars Upended America (Simon & Schuster, …
histphil.org

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Nov 3
Two biggies: the famous Brown v. Board of Ed (1954) and the lesser-known but huge Steele v. Louisville & Nashville Railroad (1944). Also Moore v. Dempsey, Ossian Sweet, the Scottsboro Nine, Missouri ex rel Gaines, and more . . . .

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Nov 2
Oh my, the 2020s bidding hard to look like the 1920s. First Billie Eilish, now Gatsby and the Roaring 20s at Mar-a-Lago #TheRadicalFund @simonandschuster.bsky.social

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Nov 1
Radicalism (in its Latin sense at least?) is fast becoming a keyword for the age. @fotoole.bsky.social is lucid in the @nybooks.com www.nybooks.com/articles/202...

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Oct 31
chapter 1 tried to bring an end to periodic Wilson rehabilitation efforts, once and for all. But the professor class loves the most professorial of the founders . . . . 🤷
www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
Patriots and Cosmopolitans — Harvard University Press
Ranging widely from the founding era to Reconstruction, from the making of the modern state to its post-New Deal limits, John Fabian Witt illuminates the legal and constitutional foundations of Americ...
www.hup.harvard.edu

johnfabianwitt.bsky.social
John Fabian Witt @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social · Oct 31
Wilson is not your guy. A narcissist & a windbag! Philly lawyers rolled their eyes and called him "given to repellant learning." JQA called him "ridiculous." Not to mention his astonishing conflict of interest (and failed opinion) in Chisholm v. Georgia. Find another costume. 😘