About
Jean Yarbrough is Professor of Government and Gary M. Pendy Sr. Professor of Social Sciences at Bowdoin College's Department of Government and Legal Studies, currently on leave for the 2024-2025 academic year. Her research focuses on American political thought and political philosophy, particularly examining foundational figures like Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt. Dr. Yarbrough earned her PhD and MA from The New School for Social Research and her BA from Cedar Crest College.
Her scholarly interests include:
- American political development and constitutional interpretation
- Civic virtue and moral foundations of republicanism
- Presidential leadership and executive power dynamics
- Historical analysis of Enlightenment influences on American governance
Dr. Yarbrough has received numerous honors including the Richard E. Neustadt Award (2013) and Henry Salvatori Prize (2021) for her contributions to understanding American founding principles. She has served on editorial boards of major political science journals and completed a Senate-confirmed appointment to the National Council of the NEH.
