Richard D. Brown Papers

Richard D. Brown, a New York City native, graduated Oberlin College in 1961 and won a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship for study at Harvard University where he earned an M.A. (1962) and a Ph.D. (1966). During the academic year of 1965-1966, he was a Fulbright lecturer at the University of Toulouse (France) before returning to Oberlin College as assistant professor of history until 1971. He joined the faculty of the University of Connecticut, Storrs, as an associate professor, 1971-75, before promotion to professor in 1975. He served as head of the history department from 1974-80 and as interim head during 1994-95.  From 2002-2009, he served as founding director of the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute. In 2002 he was named Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor.

A student of American history specializing in the American Revolution,1763-1790, and American social and cultural history, 1600-1865, he has published extensively but not exclusively in these fields. Currently, he is the author of seven books: Taming Lust: Crimes Against Nature in the Early Republic (2014) with Doron S. Ben-Atar, The Hanging of Ephraim Wheeler: A Story of Rape, Incest, and Justice in Early America (2003) with Irene Quenzler Brown, The Strength of a People: The Idea of an Informed Citizenry in America, 1650-1870 (1996); Knowledge is Power: The Diffusion of Information in Early America, 1700-1865 (1989); Massachusetts: A Bicentennial History (1978); Modernization: The Transformation of American Life, 1660-1865 (1976); and Revolutionary Politics in Massachusetts: The Boston Committee of Correspondence and the Towns, 1772-1774 (1970). Another book, “The Challenge of Equal Rights in the Early Republic,” is in preparation for Yale University Press.  In addition, Professor Brown has edited and co-edited several anthologies and texts, including an online, interactive textbook; authored over 35 articles and 75 reviews; and delivered more than 100 papers or critiques at professional meetings and conferences.

Numerous foundations, councils and societies have recognized and supported Professor Brown’s scholarly achievements including the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the American Philosophical Society, and the Social Science Research Council.

Professor Brown’s service to professional organizations is extensive and varied: Council of the American Antiquarian Society (1992-); President of the Society of Historians of the Early American Republic (2001-02); President of the New England Historical Association (1990-1991); member of the Board of Trustees of Old Sturbridge Village (1984-1987); Chair, Editorial Board of The William and Mary Quarterly (1996-1998); member of the Advisory Board of Editors, Common-Place: An Online Journal of American History (2001-). Brown also serves on the editorial board of New England Quarterly. Additional information is filed in the Series 1 Biographical file of this collection.

Richard Brown has made time for public service as a member of the board of the Hampton Elementary School (1978-1985, chair 1982-1985); Hampton Antiquarian and Historical Society (1973-1985); a tutor with the Literary Volunteers of America (1990-1992); a tutor at the Parish Hill High School (1992-1995); and clerk for Early Massachusetts Records, Inc., a non-profit project to microfilm local records (1970-1977).

Since 1962, Brown has been married to Irene Quenzler Brown, who specializes in women’s and family history. The couple has two married sons and three grandchildren. Richard and Irene Brown reside in Hampton, Connecticut.

Sources Consulted

Faculty file of Richard D. Brown (RG 28).

Biographical information (book jacket copy and vita) supplied by Richard D. Brown, 2014.

Note written by Elizabeth Brinkman; revised by Richard D. Brown, March 2014.