Jan E. Goldstein

Jan E. Goldstein is the Norman and Edna Freehling Professor of History, the Conceptual and Historical Studies of Science, and the College at The University of Chicago. She specializes in the intellectual and cultural history of Europe, with a focus on France from the 18th to 20th centuries. Her work examines how sociopolitical forces shape psychological theories and selfhood. Notable roles include serving as editor of the Journal of Modern History (since 1996) and president of the American Historical Association (2014).

Her research explores topics like racial theory in mid-19th-century France, the reception of psychoanalysis, and the institutionalization of psychological disciplines. Goldstein’s publications include monographs such as The Post-Revolutionary Self and Hysteria Complicated by Ecstasy, which blend historical analysis with methodological innovation. She has contributed to debates on Foucault’s legacy and the intersection of science, politics, and identity.

Her current project investigates moral reasoning through the lens of racial theory’s rise in 19th-century France, interrogating how individuals framed such theories in ethical terms. Goldstein’s interdisciplinary approach bridges history, philosophy, and social science, reflecting her commitment to contextualizing thought within broader institutional and cultural frameworks.