Michael J. Connolly

Michael J. Connolly is a Professor of History at Purdue University Northwest, affiliated with the Department of History and Philosophy. His research focuses on 19th-century American political economy, New England intellectual history, and conservative ideas. He is currently working on a biography of President James Buchanan and a study on American Jacobitism in the Victorian Era. Connolly holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in History from the Catholic University of America and a B.A. in Political Science from St. Michael’s College.

Education:

• Ph.D. – History, Catholic University of America
• M.A. – History, Catholic University of America
• B.A. – Political Science, St. Michael’s College

Research & Teaching: Connolly’s expertise spans the political economy of 19th-century America, railroad history, and New England regional studies. He teaches through diverse methods, including role-playing games, distance learning, and traditional lectures. His work has been published in journals like Imaginative Conservative and Journal of the History of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era.

Professional Roles:

• Chair-Elect, Purdue University Northwest Research Board
• Monthly Contributor, Imaginative Conservative
• Co-Editor, Praeger Book Series on American Political Culture
• Community Archivist, Society of St. Paul the Apostle (Paulist Fathers)

Labs/Teams: None explicitly mentioned, though his research collaborations may involve historical societies or book series co-editing efforts.