Samuel Moyn

Samuel Moyn is the Chancellor Kent Professor of Law and History at Yale University and Head of Grace Hopper College. He holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School (2001), a Ph.D. in History from UC Berkeley (2000), and an A.B. from Washington University in St. Louis (1994). His research focuses on political and legal thought, constitutional and international law, and human rights history. Current projects include studies on aging and politics, constitutionalism, and the Vietnam War. Notable works include Liberalism against Itself (2023), Humane (2021), and foundational texts on human rights history. He is a fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.

Education:

• J.D., Harvard Law School (2001)
• Ph.D. (History), University of California, Berkeley (2000)
• A.B., Washington University in St. Louis (1994)

Research interests emphasize modern European intellectual history, with contributions to understanding Cold War intellectual movements and the evolution of human rights discourse. His work critiques modern warfare and explores the intersections of law, politics, and ideology. Current projects include a forthcoming book on gerontocracy in America and analyses of constitutional democracy.

Recent articles and commentaries engage with topics ranging from judicial power dynamics to the legacy of the Vietnam War. His writing appears in venues such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Atlantic. Moyn actively participates in public discourse through podcasts and op-eds, addressing contemporary political and legal challenges.

Leadership roles include heading Grace Hopper College, fostering academic and residential communities at Yale. His interdisciplinary approach bridges historical scholarship with modern policy debates, influencing both academic and public audiences.