Edward Rugemer

Edward Rugemer is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of African American Studies and the Department of History at Yale University, where he specializes in African American history, slavery, and abolition in the Atlantic World. He is affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and holds a joint appointment across disciplines.

• Ph.D., Boston College, 2005
• Former teacher, St. George’s College, Kingston, Jamaica

His research centers on the history of slavery and emancipation, particularly the impact of Caribbean abolition and slave rebellions on U.S. sectional politics leading to the Civil War. He teaches courses on African American history, race and politics in the antebellum United States, and transatlantic abolitionism.

His publications examine the transnational dimensions of slavery and abolition, with work appearing in the Journal of Southern History, Slavery and Abolition, and Journal of Family History. His scholarship bridges Caribbean and American historical narratives, emphasizing ideological and political linkages across the Atlantic.

His major recognition includes the Francis S. Simkins Award for best first book in Southern history.

• Francis S. Simkins Award (co-recipient) for The Problem of Emancipation: The Caribbean Roots of the American Civil War

Rugemer has advised students and engaged in academic service, though specific details on advisees and grants are not publicly listed. His foundational work continues to influence scholarly discussions on comparative emancipation and Atlantic World history.