Hamilton M. Stapell

Hamilton M. Stapell is a Professor of History at SUNY New Paltz. His research focuses on modern European history, particularly Spain's political and cultural dynamics post-Franco, including topics like regional identity, Americanization, and democratic politics. He authored Remaking Madrid: Culture, Politics, and Identity after Franco and is developing a project on early 20th-century European physical culture movements. He teaches courses on modern and medieval Europe, Latin America, and Western intellectual history, including a pioneering course on evolutionary theory's application to human health.

Stapell holds academic roles at the Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) Board and as an associate editor at the Journal of Evolution and Health. His honors include the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2021), Liberal Arts & Sciences Teacher of the Year, and Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence. He has also taught in SUNY New Paltz’s Honors Program since 2009.

Previously, he taught at the United States Military Academy (West Point) and the University of California, San Diego’s Revelle Humanities Writing Program. His scholarly work blends historical analysis with interdisciplinary approaches, emphasizing cultural mobilization, national identity, and the intersection of evolution and health.