Jason Phillips

Jason Phillips is the Eberly Professor of Civil War Studies at West Virginia University, affiliated with the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and Department of History. He serves as Director of Graduate Studies and actively mentors Ph.D. students in Civil War and Reconstruction history.

• Ph.D., Rice University, 2003
• M.A., Wake Forest University, 1998
• B.A., University of Richmond, 1996

Research Interests: Dr. Phillips explores how ordinary Americans experienced uncertainties during the Civil War Era and how their responses reshaped society and culture. His work employs new materialism to analyze tangible dimensions—objects, animals, environments—and their impact on cultural perceptions. Current projects examine postwar transformations in American gun culture driven by Civil War firearm proliferation.

Advising and Grants: He recruits graduate students focused on the Civil War Era and leads the Society of Civil War Historians as President.