Jay Sexton

Jay Sexton is the Rich and Nancy Kinder Chair of Constitutional Democracy and Professor of History at the University of Missouri, serving as Director of the Kinder Institute. He previously held leadership roles at Oxford University, including Director of the Rothermere American Institute and Emeritus Fellow of Corpus Christi College. His research focuses on 19th-century U.S. political and economic history within a global context, particularly exploring the influence of the British Empire and transnational dynamics.

Education: Sexton studied at Oxford as a Marshall Scholar, completing his graduate studies there. His academic journey includes roles from graduate student to senior leadership positions in British academia.

Research Interests: Sexton examines how international forces shaped U.S. history, emphasizing themes like transimperial connections, steam infrastructure’s global impact, and the interplay between U.S. foreign policy and global systems. His work challenges traditional narratives by integrating global perspectives into American history.

Publications: Key works include A Nation Forged by Crisis (2018), Debtor Diplomacy (2005), and co-edited volumes such as The Global Lincoln and Crossing Empires. Current projects explore steam infrastructure’s role in 19th-century U.S. global relations.

• Scientific Awards: Marshall Scholar, Distinguished Fellow of RAI, Emeritus Fellow of Corpus Christi College

Advising & Leadership: Sexton mentors students across undergraduate and graduate levels, encouraging independent intellectual exploration. He leads the Kinder Institute and previously directed the Rothermere American Institute, fostering interdisciplinary research.

Labs/Teams: Directs the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy and collaborates with the Rothermere American Institute, advancing transnational historical scholarship.