Manuel Covo

Manuel Covo is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His research focuses on the transition from early modern to modern European colonialism, with specialization in French imperialism, political economy, and Atlantic revolutions, particularly the impact of the Haitian Revolution on France and the United States. He holds a Ph.D. from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (2013).

His research interests include the Age of Revolution in the Atlantic World, the History of Capitalism, and the geographies of the Caribbean. His work bridges European, African, and American histories, emphasizing transnational connections. Notable publications include Entrepôt of Revolutions (2022), awarded the Gilbert Chinard Prize, and articles published in French Historical Studies and Annales historiques de la Révolution française.

Covo’s academic awards include the Gilbert Chinard Prize, Barbara Thom Postdoctoral Fellowship, and multiple fellowships from institutions like the John Carter Brown Library and the Library Company of Philadelphia. He teaches courses on the French Empire, the French Revolution, and Atlantic Revolutions (1750–1830).

His research often addresses how revolutionary ideals clashed with colonial realities, particularly regarding slavery and racial politics. Covo’s work highlights the interconnectedness of imperial ventures, economic policies, and revolutionary ideologies across the Atlantic world.