Benjamin Schaffer

Benjamin Schaffer is an Instructor in the Department of History at the University of South Carolina, part of the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in early American/Atlantic-world history from the University of New Hampshire (2021). His research focuses on maritime conflict and society in the British Atlantic world during the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly the development of colonial navies and their socio-political implications. His upcoming book, *The First Fleets: Colonial Navies of the British Atlantic World, 1630-1775*, examines naval efforts against European, piratical, and Indigenous threats and their influence on the American naval tradition before the Revolution.

His research extends beyond military history to address broader themes like diplomacy, slavery, and the economy. He has published in *The Northern Mariner* and *The South Carolina Historical Magazine*, and participates in conferences such as the McMullen Naval History Conference. Currently, he is researching maritime conflict in the American South during the Revolutionary War and collaborates with state historical committees for Revolution anniversary initiatives. He also volunteers with wildlife rehabilitation groups in Columbia.

Dr. Schaffer’s work integrates interdisciplinary perspectives, linking naval history to socio-political dynamics in the Atlantic world. His ongoing projects reflect a commitment to public history and community engagement alongside academic scholarship.