David Contosta

David Contosta is Professor of History and Chair of the History program at Chestnut Hill College, where he has taught American history for many years. He holds a Ph.D. in History from Miami University of Ohio (1973) and is a recognized scholar in American, urban, and environmental history.

• Ph.D., History, Miami University of Ohio, 1973
• Fulbright Scholar to France, 1972–1973
• Visiting Research Professor, Cambridge University
• Lecturer at Nanjing University (China) and Pyeongtaek University (South Korea)

Dr. Contosta's research centers on American history, with a strong focus on Philadelphia and regional studies, the American presidency, environmental history, and 20th-century social movements. His work explores the interplay between urban development, cultural identity, and historical memory, particularly in suburban and metropolitan contexts. He has authored over 20 books and approximately 100 scholarly articles, making significant contributions to public and academic understanding of local and national history.

His recent publications reflect a deep engagement with environmental and urban themes, particularly in works like Metropolitan Paradise and Suburb in the City, which examine the historical transformation of Philadelphia’s landscapes. Earlier works delve into intellectual and political history, including comparative biographies of Lincoln and Darwin. His current project, American Monarchy, investigates the evolution of presidential power in the United States.

Dr. Contosta has received numerous honors, including:

• Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching (2006)
• Chestnut Hill Community Association Award (2005)
• Fulbright Scholar (1972–1973)
• American Philosophical Society Travel Grant
• Commonwealth Speaker, Pennsylvania Humanities Council
• Phi Beta Kappa

He actively mentors students through his teaching of core history courses and the required Research Methods seminar. He has secured competitive grants, including from the Eli Lilly Endowment and the American Philosophical Society. His public engagement includes leading walking tours and delivering community lectures, bridging academic scholarship with civic life. He is currently adapting Metropolitan Paradise into a documentary film, further extending the reach of his scholarship.

Dr. Contosta is affiliated with several scholarly organizations and is listed in Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in American Education, and Contemporary Authors.