Thomas R. Pegram

Thomas R. Pegram is a Professor of History at Loyola University, specializing in American political and social history, particularly focusing on social movements and political institutions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He has authored works on progressive politics, Prohibition, and the Ku Klux Klan, including One Hundred Percent American and Battling Demon Rum. His current research explores state-level Prohibition enforcement as a lens for understanding federalism and state-building.

Education: B.A. from Santa Clara University, Ph.D. in History of American Civilization from Brandeis University.

Research interests include the intersection of social movements and governance, with a focus on Prohibition, the KKK, and labor conflicts. His work bridges historical analysis with public engagement, as seen in his contributions to Smithsonian Channel documentaries and History Channel interviews.

Teaching includes courses on U.S. history, civil rights, and the Civil War era. He has advised no listed students but has mentored through seminar courses like HS 464 and HS 465.

Media recognition includes a New York Times review of his KKK book and a History Channel interview on Prohibition. His interdisciplinary approach highlights the cultural and political legacies of these movements.