Ben Railton
@americanstudier.bsky.social
Prof of Amer Lit & Studies. Dad to 2 amazing young men. Married. We the People: http://tinyurl.com/yyhxjktb; Of Thee I Sing: http://tinyurl.com/y6hsozjx. #ScholarSunday guru. https://blackwhiteandread.com he/him
Also, y'know what would be a great Halloween present for not only me & @gvaughnjoy.bsky.social (who is responsible for our awesome website) but also our little treat Biscuits? Subscribing to the site & supporting (for free, to be clear) independent public scholarship! @hcrichardson.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Also, y'know what would be a great Halloween present for not only me & @gvaughnjoy.bsky.social (who is responsible for our awesome website) but also our little treat Biscuits? Subscribing to the site & supporting (for free, to be clear) independent public scholarship! @hcrichardson.bsky.social
Because we should always balance political doom with Biscuit beauty.
October 22, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Because we should always balance political doom with Biscuit beauty.
#NoKings, just the best of our heritage & community & voices & spaces. @josephlee.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
#NoKings, just the best of our heritage & community & voices & spaces. @josephlee.bsky.social
Peterborough, New Hampshire on a perfect autumn afternoon.
October 13, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Peterborough, New Hampshire on a perfect autumn afternoon.
Also Biscuits snuggles, obvi.
October 9, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Also Biscuits snuggles, obvi.
Biscuits can’t believe some of y’all haven’t shared all the great public scholarship in today’s #ScholarSunday thread yet. 🗃️
October 5, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Biscuits can’t believe some of y’all haven’t shared all the great public scholarship in today’s #ScholarSunday thread yet. 🗃️
Chilly weekend mornings need some warm Biscuits.
October 4, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Chilly weekend mornings need some warm Biscuits.
Cf. Constitutional advocate & future Supreme Court Justice James Iredell on that no religious test clause: "“It is objected that the people of America may, perhaps, choose representatives who have no religion at all, & that pagans & Mahometans may be admitted into offices...
September 27, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Cf. Constitutional advocate & future Supreme Court Justice James Iredell on that no religious test clause: "“It is objected that the people of America may, perhaps, choose representatives who have no religion at all, & that pagans & Mahometans may be admitted into offices...
Extra bad timing, Bozos.
September 15, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Extra bad timing, Bozos.
Part of the museum’s series When the World Broke Open: Katrina & Its Afterlives, the event featured a screening of the first episode of Treme (my favorite TV show) & then the amazing conversation. On a personal note, it also included one of the most inspiring moments of my public scholarly life.
September 10, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Part of the museum’s series When the World Broke Open: Katrina & Its Afterlives, the event featured a screening of the first episode of Treme (my favorite TV show) & then the amazing conversation. On a personal note, it also included one of the most inspiring moments of my public scholarly life.
"Upholding the ideals that have guided generations of Americans"
August 30, 2025 at 1:49 PM
"Upholding the ideals that have guided generations of Americans"
Birthday Eve Virginia rain. Miss you, Dad.
August 14, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Birthday Eve Virginia rain. Miss you, Dad.
I'm technically not 48 until Friday, but my taste buds & my stomach disagree!
August 14, 2025 at 1:11 AM
I'm technically not 48 until Friday, but my taste buds & my stomach disagree!
Your early August moment of Zen.
August 2, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Your early August moment of Zen.
Already had a tear in my eye as I concluded @dblight.bsky.social's wonderful bio of Frederick Douglass. But this picture of Douglass with his grandson Joseph, a very talented violinist, reminding me so much of my late Dad with my sons (both talented violinists themselves)? Whew. Love & our best.
July 26, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Already had a tear in my eye as I concluded @dblight.bsky.social's wonderful bio of Frederick Douglass. But this picture of Douglass with his grandson Joseph, a very talented violinist, reminding me so much of my late Dad with my sons (both talented violinists themselves)? Whew. Love & our best.
Pretty good Juneteenth spot. @nyhistory.bsky.social
June 19, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Pretty good Juneteenth spot. @nyhistory.bsky.social
Speaking of learning from my sons! AmericanStudier Father’s Day present ftw.
June 15, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Speaking of learning from my sons! AmericanStudier Father’s Day present ftw.
& here’s their amazing 4x400 relay team (15th in the state!) for a little extra incentive.
June 9, 2025 at 1:20 AM
& here’s their amazing 4x400 relay team (15th in the state!) for a little extra incentive.
In a few minutes, this adorable young fellow graduates high school. Want to give his proudly sad Dad a present? Share this week’s #ScholarSunday thread! 🗃️
June 1, 2025 at 7:36 PM
In a few minutes, this adorable young fellow graduates high school. Want to give his proudly sad Dad a present? Share this week’s #ScholarSunday thread! 🗃️
Etching now complete. A beautiful illustration of a very lovely man. ❤️
May 20, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Etching now complete. A beautiful illustration of a very lovely man. ❤️
A significantly positive influence on my week has been Froggy in a Well, seen here in well, out of well, and, well, a bit bashful. Perhaps he will be a soothing presence for y’all as well.
May 14, 2025 at 6:16 PM
A significantly positive influence on my week has been Froggy in a Well, seen here in well, out of well, and, well, a bit bashful. Perhaps he will be a soothing presence for y’all as well.
Department had a few extra dollars for book purchases, & I’m really glad to reward myself after this incredibly tough semester with a new bio of my favorite author! @stmartinspress.bsky.social
May 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Department had a few extra dollars for book purchases, & I’m really glad to reward myself after this incredibly tough semester with a new bio of my favorite author! @stmartinspress.bsky.social
Despite it all, I think there are still reasons for hope here in late April 2025. Here’s a big one of mine!
April 25, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Despite it all, I think there are still reasons for hope here in late April 2025. Here’s a big one of mine!
Young man on the left finishes his first year of college in a week. Young man on the right is about to commit to his college choice for the fall. Time, mis amigos. Time.
April 24, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Young man on the left finishes his first year of college in a week. Young man on the right is about to commit to his college choice for the fall. Time, mis amigos. Time.
I’ve been doing the public scholarly thing a good while now, including 7.5 years for @satevepost.bsky.social, but I can’t front: I still get super psyched when two of my pieces are simultaneously on the front page of Ben Franklin and Norman Rockwell’s magazine! 
April 23, 2025 at 2:14 PM
I’ve been doing the public scholarly thing a good while now, including 7.5 years for @satevepost.bsky.social, but I can’t front: I still get super psyched when two of my pieces are simultaneously on the front page of Ben Franklin and Norman Rockwell’s magazine!