Iver Bernstein

Iver Bernstein is a Professor of History, African and African-American Studies, and American Culture Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. He holds a PhD, MPhil, and MA from Yale University, and a BA from Brown University. His research focuses on 19th-century U.S. history, particularly slavery, race, and political culture. His current book project, Stripes & Scars: How Americans Came to Fight a Bloody Civil War, examines the origins of Civil War violence through the lens of slavery and familial dynamics.

Bernstein has authored influential works such as The New York City Draft Riots and co-edited volumes like The Material World of Modern Segregation and James Baldwin and American Democracy. His awards include the Kemper Faculty Award (2000) and the Avery Craven Prize (2000). He has led administrative roles, including directing the American Culture Studies Program (2013–2018) and co-chairing the university's Sesquicentennial Celebration (2003–2004).

His research explores the intersections of violence, love, and power in American history, emphasizing forgotten or suppressed narratives of racial and social conflict. Bernstein’s work bridges academic rigor with public engagement, reflected in his op-eds, podcasts, and collaborative projects addressing structural racism and historical memory.