Karin Wulf
@kawulf.bsky.social
Historian of #VastEarlyAmerica, gender, family & politics | Director & Librarian @ JCBLibrary | History Prof @ Brown U
#LineageTheBook OUP July, 2025 | On some other platforms and also @ karinwulf.com | Opinions here just mine.
#LineageTheBook OUP July, 2025 | On some other platforms and also @ karinwulf.com | Opinions here just mine.
Pinned
Karin Wulf
@kawulf.bsky.social
· Dec 28
It’s been a long time coming… so thrilled to share the cover (and Oxford UP website last in 🧵) for my book, _Lineage: Genealogy and the Power of Connection in Early America_, pub date 7.2.25 (but will ship, so they say very enticingly, mid-June. 1/ #VastEarlyAmerica 🗃️
W Jamelle, too! Because historical context takes time to develop thoughtfully -- to learn, incorporate, and then produce. But it seems that there's an agreement here that it's not only super interesting but incredibly important to the work they're doing.
Stay tuned! //
Stay tuned! //
February 13, 2026 at 11:51 PM
W Jamelle, too! Because historical context takes time to develop thoughtfully -- to learn, incorporate, and then produce. But it seems that there's an agreement here that it's not only super interesting but incredibly important to the work they're doing.
Stay tuned! //
Stay tuned! //
What I didn't get to ask more about --John's notebook practice, and the multimedia forms of his reporting (writing, podcasts, tv). We talked about how media forms shorten attention + coverage but I'd like to get a better understanding of when/ how each media form is helping develop the work.
February 13, 2026 at 11:51 PM
What I didn't get to ask more about --John's notebook practice, and the multimedia forms of his reporting (writing, podcasts, tv). We talked about how media forms shorten attention + coverage but I'd like to get a better understanding of when/ how each media form is helping develop the work.
4. John's writing about American political history has been (by chapter) thematic, not chronological (I read his two books on presidential campaigns and the presidency). Why? Bc it's the themes he wants to pull out. Sometimes the appeal of the stories defeats historical analysis.
February 13, 2026 at 11:51 PM
4. John's writing about American political history has been (by chapter) thematic, not chronological (I read his two books on presidential campaigns and the presidency). Why? Bc it's the themes he wants to pull out. Sometimes the appeal of the stories defeats historical analysis.
3. John also talked about history as essential context for journalists' work. How do we know what's actually new, or how novelty matters or doesn't in political practice--or anything in the news for that matter. The exigencies of producing news --useful to hear emphasized --makes that really hard.
February 13, 2026 at 11:51 PM
3. John also talked about history as essential context for journalists' work. How do we know what's actually new, or how novelty matters or doesn't in political practice--or anything in the news for that matter. The exigencies of producing news --useful to hear emphasized --makes that really hard.
I have really enjoyed the prep for these interviews. Though I confess in this case interviewing someone who is an expert interviewer was a tad daunting. 😁
2. We talked about how John considers history as a kind of civic resource, a way of referencing core principles and political practice.
2. We talked about how John considers history as a kind of civic resource, a way of referencing core principles and political practice.
February 13, 2026 at 11:51 PM
I have really enjoyed the prep for these interviews. Though I confess in this case interviewing someone who is an expert interviewer was a tad daunting. 😁
2. We talked about how John considers history as a kind of civic resource, a way of referencing core principles and political practice.
2. We talked about how John considers history as a kind of civic resource, a way of referencing core principles and political practice.
This series will be on @jcblibrary.bsky.social YouTube next week. Wonderful conversation w @jdickerson.bsky.social today!
4 Highlights /reflections:
1. Like Jamelle Bouie, John points to the power of #footnotes (I was ecstatic). As accountability and also as a pointer to more reading/ material.
4 Highlights /reflections:
1. Like Jamelle Bouie, John points to the power of #footnotes (I was ecstatic). As accountability and also as a pointer to more reading/ material.
Just like I love Mondays in February I’m a big fan of Friday the 13th! So looking forward to this conversation w @jdickerson.bsky.social for our series on history & journalism - today at 4 - jcblibrary.org/events/journ...
February 13, 2026 at 11:51 PM
This series will be on @jcblibrary.bsky.social YouTube next week. Wonderful conversation w @jdickerson.bsky.social today!
4 Highlights /reflections:
1. Like Jamelle Bouie, John points to the power of #footnotes (I was ecstatic). As accountability and also as a pointer to more reading/ material.
4 Highlights /reflections:
1. Like Jamelle Bouie, John points to the power of #footnotes (I was ecstatic). As accountability and also as a pointer to more reading/ material.
This made me so happy!
February 13, 2026 at 11:34 PM
This made me so happy!
#Gratitude. Grateful this week for colleagues, friends❤️, and family❤️, in particular for a lovely colleague whom I admire so much and haven't seen enough of recently, who emailed me a note of appreciation.
And a student super excited to do some research on my micro-project on this 18th c miscellany.
And a student super excited to do some research on my micro-project on this 18th c miscellany.
My ongoing micro-series on an 18th c #miscellany. Open the page and see what you see.
"If affectation could be entirely banished, how few, in comparison with the present state of things, would be the number of preposterous mistakes."
Darn if they hadn't got a point though.
"If affectation could be entirely banished, how few, in comparison with the present state of things, would be the number of preposterous mistakes."
Darn if they hadn't got a point though.
February 13, 2026 at 11:31 PM
#Gratitude. Grateful this week for colleagues, friends❤️, and family❤️, in particular for a lovely colleague whom I admire so much and haven't seen enough of recently, who emailed me a note of appreciation.
And a student super excited to do some research on my micro-project on this 18th c miscellany.
And a student super excited to do some research on my micro-project on this 18th c miscellany.
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Also, the entire vocational case for <not> majoring in the humanities/liberal arts rests on approximately no data at all:
👇🎯 Periodic reminder that the right-wing career/salary talking points about the liberal arts are belied by huge piles of data (e.g., news.wisc.edu/new-data-on-...), & the complicity of Democrats & university administrators in repeating those right-wing talking points is a major part of then problem.
February 13, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Also, the entire vocational case for <not> majoring in the humanities/liberal arts rests on approximately no data at all:
Reposted by Karin Wulf
I'd like at add a few things to this. (1) humanists have not been able to convince any political party that curiosity-driven humanities research is a public good that should be funded using tax dollars. Republicans don't believe this, but neither do Democrats.
It's possible to do a non-reactionary critique of the current landscape of humanities research funding: www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
Does humanities research matter anymore? (opinion)
The rapid collapse in available research funding is one crisis in the humanities we aren’t talking enough about, Asheesh Kapur Siddique writes.
www.insidehighered.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:57 PM
I'd like at add a few things to this. (1) humanists have not been able to convince any political party that curiosity-driven humanities research is a public good that should be funded using tax dollars. Republicans don't believe this, but neither do Democrats.
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Just like I love Mondays in February I’m a big fan of Friday the 13th! So looking forward to this conversation w @jdickerson.bsky.social for our series on history & journalism - today at 4 - jcblibrary.org/events/journ...
February 13, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Just like I love Mondays in February I’m a big fan of Friday the 13th! So looking forward to this conversation w @jdickerson.bsky.social for our series on history & journalism - today at 4 - jcblibrary.org/events/journ...
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Even though I know these patterns, the percentages continue to shock me. Full article: www.tiaa.org/content/dam/...
February 13, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Even though I know these patterns, the percentages continue to shock me. Full article: www.tiaa.org/content/dam/...
Just like I love Mondays in February I’m a big fan of Friday the 13th! So looking forward to this conversation w @jdickerson.bsky.social for our series on history & journalism - today at 4 - jcblibrary.org/events/journ...
February 13, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Just like I love Mondays in February I’m a big fan of Friday the 13th! So looking forward to this conversation w @jdickerson.bsky.social for our series on history & journalism - today at 4 - jcblibrary.org/events/journ...
Reposted by Karin Wulf
I consider it a success if I can answer an email within a couple of days -- with so many I'm just taking longer. For which I profusely apologize yet space time has yet to bend to my will. But to the person who asks me this am at 930 about an email sent last night at 9...
February 12, 2026 at 2:27 PM
I consider it a success if I can answer an email within a couple of days -- with so many I'm just taking longer. For which I profusely apologize yet space time has yet to bend to my will. But to the person who asks me this am at 930 about an email sent last night at 9...
Reposted by Karin Wulf
This is what I call, in Holding It Together, the "myth of the supermom"—the idea that kids are under threat (eg, of not getting into "elite" colleges, and thus not having the "elite" life that goes with that), and that moms are the only ones who can save them, but only by sacrificing themselves.
Looking for an edge in college admissions? Just pull your kid from school. Homeschooling, long associated with hippies and religious conservatives in the U.S., is in the middle of a rebrand and a boom.
The Homeschooling Hack
Looking for an edge in college admissions? Just pull your kid from school. Homeschooling, long associated with hippies and religious conservatives in the U.S., is in the middle of a rebrand and a boom.
nymag.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:20 PM
This is what I call, in Holding It Together, the "myth of the supermom"—the idea that kids are under threat (eg, of not getting into "elite" colleges, and thus not having the "elite" life that goes with that), and that moms are the only ones who can save them, but only by sacrificing themselves.
Reposted by Karin Wulf
I taught a namesake descendant of Gerry at Colgate and can confirm the pronunciation.
Plus a descendant of Gouverneur Morris taught on the Stanford faculty so I know his first name is pronounced Governor.
And a strange fact: Madison was the only president to kill off both his vice presidents.
Plus a descendant of Gouverneur Morris taught on the Stanford faculty so I know his first name is pronounced Governor.
And a strange fact: Madison was the only president to kill off both his vice presidents.
Poor Elbridge Gerry, now known only 4 gerrymander
Upside: his name was originally pronounced with a hard "g,"so now you can show off ur superior knowledge at cocktail parties & faculty meetings
Boston 1775: Why Do We Pronounce “Gerrymander” with a Soft G?
boston1775.blogspot....
Upside: his name was originally pronounced with a hard "g,"so now you can show off ur superior knowledge at cocktail parties & faculty meetings
Boston 1775: Why Do We Pronounce “Gerrymander” with a Soft G?
boston1775.blogspot....
February 12, 2026 at 4:10 AM
I taught a namesake descendant of Gerry at Colgate and can confirm the pronunciation.
Plus a descendant of Gouverneur Morris taught on the Stanford faculty so I know his first name is pronounced Governor.
And a strange fact: Madison was the only president to kill off both his vice presidents.
Plus a descendant of Gouverneur Morris taught on the Stanford faculty so I know his first name is pronounced Governor.
And a strange fact: Madison was the only president to kill off both his vice presidents.
Best thing in my week is always talking about books with a group of engaged folks. This week it was a group of Brown Uni alums and we discussed @rparkinson.bsky.social's _Thirteen Clocks_. Great discussion, and some great follow-up email. Read books. Discuss. Instant mood boost.
February 12, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Best thing in my week is always talking about books with a group of engaged folks. This week it was a group of Brown Uni alums and we discussed @rparkinson.bsky.social's _Thirteen Clocks_. Great discussion, and some great follow-up email. Read books. Discuss. Instant mood boost.
TODAY!
The true story here is that I'm not a coffee drinker. Can't stand the stuff. Tea forever. But I live with coffee-holics, I still ask people if we can meet "for coffee," and I'm a historian of the 18th century. And I can't wait to hear Michelle talk about her great new book. Join us!
The true story here is that I'm not a coffee drinker. Can't stand the stuff. Tea forever. But I live with coffee-holics, I still ask people if we can meet "for coffee," and I'm a historian of the 18th century. And I can't wait to hear Michelle talk about her great new book. Join us!
TOMORROW!
Join us in person or via Zoom for Coffee Nation: How One Commodity Transformed the Early United States, a talk by Michelle Craig McDonald.
Details and registration here: jcblibrary.org/events/coffe...
Join us in person or via Zoom for Coffee Nation: How One Commodity Transformed the Early United States, a talk by Michelle Craig McDonald.
Details and registration here: jcblibrary.org/events/coffe...
February 12, 2026 at 11:17 AM
TODAY!
The true story here is that I'm not a coffee drinker. Can't stand the stuff. Tea forever. But I live with coffee-holics, I still ask people if we can meet "for coffee," and I'm a historian of the 18th century. And I can't wait to hear Michelle talk about her great new book. Join us!
The true story here is that I'm not a coffee drinker. Can't stand the stuff. Tea forever. But I live with coffee-holics, I still ask people if we can meet "for coffee," and I'm a historian of the 18th century. And I can't wait to hear Michelle talk about her great new book. Join us!
Reposted by Karin Wulf
In our exchange about her work, I also mentioned @kidadaewilliams.com terrific podcast series w @vpm.org -- check it out: 2// seizingfreedom.vpm.org
A podcast on Black liberation, progress & joy | Seizing Freedom
Highlighting true stories of Black people’s fight for liberation, progress & joy from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement & beyond. Seizing Freedom illustrates the myriad ways Black people have...
seizingfreedom.vpm.org
February 11, 2026 at 1:44 PM
In our exchange about her work, I also mentioned @kidadaewilliams.com terrific podcast series w @vpm.org -- check it out: 2// seizingfreedom.vpm.org
In discussing his process, @jamellebouie.net talked about reading and thinking in parallel with historians -- and specifically said he was reading @kidadaewilliams.com on Klan hearings and the impt of witness testimony in _I Saw Death Coming_. www.bloomsbury.com/us/i-saw-dea...
February 11, 2026 at 1:44 PM
In discussing his process, @jamellebouie.net talked about reading and thinking in parallel with historians -- and specifically said he was reading @kidadaewilliams.com on Klan hearings and the impt of witness testimony in _I Saw Death Coming_. www.bloomsbury.com/us/i-saw-dea...
Today @jamellebouie.net quotes @kidadaewilliams.com vital work on Reconstruction: "Societies experiencing atrocities struggle to put a stop to and then meaningfully address them." He talked about how he incorporates historians' work Monday for @jcblibrary.bsky.social. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/o...
Opinion | A New Jersey Primary Shows the Depth of Democratic Fury
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Today @jamellebouie.net quotes @kidadaewilliams.com vital work on Reconstruction: "Societies experiencing atrocities struggle to put a stop to and then meaningfully address them." He talked about how he incorporates historians' work Monday for @jcblibrary.bsky.social. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/o...