Peter Kastor

Peter Kastor is a Professor of History and American Culture Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, where he also serves as Associate Vice Dean of Research in Arts & Sciences. He holds an endowed Samuel K. Eddy Professorship and a courtesy appointment in Law. His roles include directing undergraduate studies in History and leading research initiatives supporting humanities and social sciences.

Education: PhD (University of Virginia), MA (University of Virginia), AB (Franklin & Marshall College).

Research focuses on the American Presidency, early republic politics, and digital history. Key projects include Creating a Federal Government, 1789-1829, a digital exploration of federal workforce dynamics. He bridges political history with public engagement through media contributions, documentaries, and educational programs.

Recent articles and op-eds address presidential families, historical memory, and political transitions. Awards include the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award and Kemper Book Prize. Grants include Digital Innovation Fellowships from ACLS and Taylor Geospatial Institute projects.

Teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses on American history, presidential studies, and digital humanities. Public outreach includes collaborations with museums, schools, and federal agencies. He chairs the Missouri Historical Society Board and advises initiatives on historical remembrance.