Benjamin Railton

Ben Railton is a Professor of English Studies at Fitchburg State University's School of Arts and Sciences, specializing in American literature, culture, and identity. He teaches courses ranging from foundational writing to advanced seminars on the Gilded Age and ethnic literatures.

• Ph.D. in American Literature from Temple University
• B.A. in American History and Literature from Harvard University

His research focuses on American identity through historical and ethnic lenses, examining contested narratives in patriotism, the Gilded Age, and public scholarship. He maintains the scholarly blog AmericanStudier and contributes regularly to national outlets like the Saturday Evening Post and Washington Post.
Railton's recent work includes the 2021 book Of Thee I Sing, analyzing debates over American patriotism, and the 2019 study We the People on immigration history. His publications frequently explore intersections between literature, politics, and cultural memory.

He received the Vincent J. Mara Excellence in Teaching Award (2015) and the Faculty Award for Research and Scholarship (2014). Railton serves on the editorial board of the Encyclopedia of American Studies and advises the American Writers Museum.

His podcast The Celestials' Last Game examines baseball's cultural history, while the Memory Day Calendar project curates alternative historical remembrance events. Railton actively engages with contemporary culture through his blog's guest posts from students and scholars, covering topics from sports to political history.