Leah Wright Rigueur Biography
Leah Wright Rigueur is a distinguished American historian and scholar specializing in 20th-century U.S. political and social history, with a particular focus on race, political ideology, and the American presidency. She currently serves as the SNF Agora Institute Associate Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University.
Leah Wright is the author of the award-winning book The Loneliness of the Black Republican: Pragmatic Politics and the Pursuit of Power, which examines the complex relationship between African Americans and the Republican Party from the New Deal era to Ronald Reagan’s presidency.
In addition to her academic work, Dr. Wright Rigueur is a recognized media contributor. In February 2024, she joined CNN as an on-air contributor, bringing her expertise on contemporary American politics, the presidency, and civil rights to the network’s programming. Prior to this role, she contributed to ABC News and hosted the award-winning podcast “Reclaimed: The Story of Mamie Till-Mobley.”
Her research and commentary have been featured in numerous outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and NPR. Currently, she is working on a new book titled Black Collar Criminals, which explores political corruption and its impact on modern American democracy.
Leah Wright Rigueur Age
Leah Wright Rigueur was born on May 21, 1981, making her 43 years old as of 2024.
Leah Wright Rigueur Hometown
Leah Wright Rigueur is from Hartford, Connecticut.
Leah Wright Rigueur Parents
Details regarding Leah Wright Rigueur’s parents are not publicly disclosed.
Leah Wright Rigueur Educational Background
Leah Wright Rigueur is a distinguished scholar with an impressive educational background rooted in American history and politics. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Dartmouth College, where she developed an early focus on race, political ideology, and civil rights in the United States. Following her undergraduate studies, she pursued a Ph.D. in History at Princeton University.
Leah Wright Rigueur Career
Leah Wright Rigueur’s career is distinguished by her profound contributions to the study of American political history, with a particular emphasis on race, political ideology, and the American presidency. After completing her doctoral studies, she began her academic tenure as an assistant professor of history at Wesleyan University, where she developed courses that delved into the complexities of African American political movements and their intersections with broader U.S. political developments.
In 2014, Dr. Wright Rigueur published her seminal work, The Loneliness of the Black Republican: Pragmatic Politics and the Pursuit of Power. This book offers an in-depth analysis of the experiences and challenges faced by African Americans within the Republican Party from the New Deal era through Ronald Reagan’s presidency. The publication was lauded for its meticulous research and insightful perspectives, earning accolades such as the James P. Hanlan Book Award from the New England Historical Association.
Following the success of her book, Dr. Wright Rigueur joined the Harvard Kennedy School of Government as an assistant professor of public policy. In this role, she continued her research on race and politics, while also teaching courses that examined the intersections of race, policy, and governance in the United States. Her tenure at Harvard further solidified her reputation as a leading scholar in her field.
In 2019, she transitioned to Brandeis University, where she was appointed the Harry S. Truman Associate Professor of American History. At Brandeis, Dr. Wright Rigueur expanded her research to include contemporary political movements and their historical antecedents, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of political ideologies in America.
In 2020, Dr. Wright Rigueur joined ABC News as a contributor, bringing her expertise to a broader audience. She provided analysis on contemporary political events, drawing connections between historical contexts and current developments. Her ability to contextualize modern political phenomena within historical frameworks made her a valuable voice in media discussions.
In 2023, she expanded her media presence by hosting the critically acclaimed ABC podcast “Reclaimed: The Story of Mamie Till-Mobley.” The podcast delves into the life and legacy of Mamie Till-Mobley, offering listeners a nuanced exploration of her impact on the civil rights movement. The series received widespread praise for its depth and storytelling.
Currently, Dr. Wright Rigueur serves as the SNF Agora Institute Associate Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University. In this capacity, she continues her research on American political history, focusing on the intersections of race, democracy, and political institutions. She is also working on a forthcoming book titled Black Collar Criminals, which examines political corruption and its implications for modern American democracy.
Throughout her career, Dr. Wright Rigueur has been a prolific contributor to academic journals and mainstream media outlets. Her writings have appeared in publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic.
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Leah Wright Rigueur Awards and Recognitions
Leah Wright Rigueur has received several awards and recognitions throughout her career:
- James P. Hanlan Book Award (2015): Awarded by the New England Historical Association for her book The Loneliness of the Black Republican: Pragmatic Politics and the Pursuit of Power.
- Finalist for the W.E.B. Du Bois Distinguished Book Award (2015): Recognized by the National Conference of Black Political Scientists for the same publication.
- Best Host at the Ambies (2023): Honored by The Podcast Academy for her work on the ABC News podcast “Reclaimed: The Story of Mamie Till-Mobley.”
- Webby Awards (2023): The podcast “Reclaimed” won two Webby Awards: Best Documentary Podcast and People’s Voice – Best Documentary Podcast.
Leah Wright Rigueur Books
Leah Wright Rigueur has authored the following books:
- The Loneliness of the Black Republican: Pragmatic Politics and the Pursuit of Power (2015) – This award-winning book examines the experiences of African Americans within the Republican Party from the New Deal era to Ronald Reagan’s presidency.
- Black Collar Criminals: Race, Crime, and Corruption in Modern America (Forthcoming) – This upcoming work explores political corruption and its impact on modern American democracy.
Leah Wright Rigueur Net Worth
Leah Wright Rigueur’s estimated net worth is around $4 million as of 2024.
Leah Wright Rigueur Husband and Children
Leah Wright Rigueur is married to Philip Rigueur, a distinguished professional in the healthcare industry. Philip serves as the Vice President for Enterprise Transformation at Hartford HealthCare, Connecticut’s most extensively integrated healthcare system. The couple married in 2011 and have two children together. They reside in Hartford, Connecticut, balancing their professional commitments with family life.Â
FAQs
Who is Leah Wright Rigueur?
Leah Wright Rigueur is an American historian specializing in 20th-century U.S. political and social history, with a focus on race, political ideology, and the American presidency.
What is Leah Wright Rigueur’s current academic position?
She is the SNF Agora Institute Associate Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University.
What are her main research interests?
Her research focuses on modern African American history, race, democracy, American political institutions, the modern American presidency, civil rights, and social movements.
What is the title of her notable book?
Her notable book is The Loneliness of the Black Republican: Pragmatic Politics and the Pursuit of Power.
Where did she receive her education?
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Dartmouth College and her Ph.D. in History from Princeton University.
Has she held positions at other academic institutions?
Yes, she has held positions at Brandeis University, the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Wesleyan University.
What media outlets have featured her work?
Her research and commentary have been featured in outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and NPR.
Has she contributed to any podcasts?
Yes, she hosted the critically acclaimed ABC podcast “Reclaimed: The Story of Mamie Till-Mobley.”
What fellowships has she received?
Her research has been supported by fellowships from the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research, and the Carr Center for Human Rights at Harvard University.
