Marcus Rediker

@marcusrediker.bsky.social

11K followers 370 following 450 posts

Historian (from below), award-winning author, filmmaker, playwright, Distinguished Professor, University of Pittsburgh
marcusrediker.com

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Marcus Buford Rediker is an American historian, writer, professor, and social activist. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1976 and attended the University of Pennsylvania for graduate study, earning a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in history. He taught at Georgetown University from 1982 to 1994 and is currently a Distinguished Professor of Atlantic History of the Department of History at the University of Pittsburgh. .. more

Political science 43%

Sociology 20%

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Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 5h

Here is a review I wrote of Sven Beckert’s impressive new book, *Capitalism: A Global History*, for the New York Times.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/b...

How Capitalism Took Over the World

www.nytimes.com

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 6h

Grateful to @leehall.bsky.social for this account of the launch of our children’s book, *Fearless Benjamin* (PM Press), at the Abington Quaker Meeting House Nov. 11. Lee writes with passion, grace, and power, explaining why children need to know Lay's story.

www.counterpunch.org/2025/11/25/f...

Fearless Benjamin: A History Lesson From Grownups of Integrity

Ask the children. Chances are, I reckon, they’ll say Washington and Jefferson ought to have known better than to enslave people. And chances are, an adult

www.counterpunch.org

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 1d

Highest respect to the late Jimmy Cliff & the Jamaican Rebel Music he sang as reggae became the world's most radical music. I saw him in 1978 in a small club in Philadelphia. When he sang, “But I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave,” the house came down. RIP, Jimmy.

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 13d

It was a great pleasure to work with Sarah Bachman (artist, at left) and Michelle Markel (co-author, center) on the launch of our children’s book, *Fearless Benjamin* (Lay) at the Abington Quaker Meeting House Tuesday evening. Special thanks to Loretta Maguire Fox and Lee Hall!

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 15d

We will hold the launch of our children’s book, *Fearless Benjamin* (PM Press), this evening, Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 6:00 pm at the Abington Quaker Meeting House, where Benjamin Lay worshipped and where he is buried. See the flyer below for more info. Please join us!

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 19d

Ron Schatz wrote an excellent piece about the exhibition "Labor and Art," made from art in the collection of dear friends, Joe and Delsa White. In the Bost Building, 623 East 8th Ave., Homestead, PA, until Dec. 23, MWF 10 am - 12 noon and by appointment. Check it out!

lawcha.org/2025/11/04/l...

“Labor & Art” in Homestead, Pennsylvania | LAWCHA

I am a historian who studied with David Montgomery at the University of Pittsburgh in the mid-1970s, a tumultuous time in labor and working-class history.

lawcha.org

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 22d

Artist Leah Gordon’s exhibition, “Monument to the Vanquished Peasant,” is now up and running at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry through Jan. 26, 2026. Leah designed a special wallpaper for the show, featuring the many-headed hydra. I love it!

www.theherbert.org/news/333/a-n...

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 23d

I have, and loved it.

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 23d

In Bologna tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 6:30 pm I will be in conversation with my dear friend Matilde Cazzola about “history from below” at the Libreria modo infoshop, via Mascarella, 24/b. Join us!

www.facebook.com/events/79022...

Un altro modo di fare la storia, un dialogo con Marcus Rediker

Event in Bologna by Libreria modo infoshop on Tuesday, November 4 2025 with 122 people interested.

www.facebook.com

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 23d

1606

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 24d

Must see that one!

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 24d

😂😂 Thanks, Justin!

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · 24d

Last week I saw another painting by Caravaggio in person: “Supper at Emmaus” (1606), at the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan. For his technical mastery, innovative methods, and psychological/emotional depth, I regard him as the world’s greatest painter. I wish I could write history the way he paints.

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 23

Next Thursday, October 30, in Milan, at 6:30 pm, I will speak, at the invitation of my friend and editor Raf Scelsi, on the theme “Piracy and the Maritime Origins of the Working Class.” Join us at the Shake Bookshop, Via Ingegnoli 13.

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 22

Next week in Milan, Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 7:00 pm, I will meet with the excellent historian Carlo Greppi and members of the research group "Laboratorio Lapsus” to discuss “history from below.” The event is organized by my publisher, elèuthera editrice.
,
Register here: shorturl.at/kjq2A and join us!

La storia dal basso: origini, metodi e sviluppi

La storia dal basso: origini, metodi e sviluppi di un originale sguardo sulla ricerca storica

shorturl.at

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 20

The smile on my face as I lectured at the University of St. Thomas two weeks ago says it all. I had a great time on my visit, thanks to Kanishka Chowdhury, his colleagues, and his students.

Reposted by Harvey J. Kaye

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 19

We offer through @pmpress.bsky.social a special discount on our children’s book, *Fearless Benjamin: The Quaker Dwarf who Fought Slavery*, co-written with Michelle Markel and illustrated by Sarah Bachman. Use OCTOBER at checkout for a 20% discount.

pmpress.org/index.php?l=...

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 18

Also from my collection, the great Haitian artist, Frantz Zéphirin's painting entitled *The Spirit of the Indian Facing Colonization*, depicting the Spanish ship, *Conquistador*; the mask of red death killing an indigenous woman; and the face of the African who will replace her.

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 17

As many of you know, I collect Haitian art. The most famous painting in my collection is Frantz Zephirin’s *The Slave Ship Brooks*, which has been exhibited around the world, including the 2022 Venice Biennale. Here are photos of the painting and of Frantz when he had just completed it.

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 16

Benjamin Lay republished “The Selling of Joseph” in 1738, but I am not aware of any other printings.

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 16

Thank, Seth. Congratulations on your well-deserved book prize!

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 16

Here is a review I wrote for the *New York Times*.

A Horrific Tale of the Slave Trade, Destined to Become a Classic www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/b...

A Horrific Tale of the Slave Trade, Destined to Become a Classic

www.nytimes.com

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 15

Here is a lovely blog post by @leehall.bsky.social, for our book launch of *Fearless Benjamin*, Tues., Nov 11. I love the title: "It’s Never Too Late to Have a Truth-Filled Childhood.” Please mark your calendars, spread the word, and join us for the event!

www.radnorquakers.net/its-never-to...

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 15

Happy to say, we have and will continue to do so. The actor in our play, *The Return of Benjamin Lay*, was Mark Povinelli, past president of LPA. We performed a reading of the play at the LPA convention in Baltimore in 2024.

Reposted by Marcus Rediker

Dr Lily Chadwick @lilyrchadwick.bsky.social · Oct 14

FHA is very pleased to announce that registration is now open for our annual fall event!

Please join us online Sunday, 16 November for a book talk given by Professor Marcus Rediker featuring his new work, Freedom Ship: The Uncharted History of Escaping Slavery by Sea @marcusrediker.bsky.social

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 14

Sarah is brilliant, literally and figuratively!

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 14

Thanks, Thom!

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 14

Thank you, Ali. Ben Lay is coming back from the dead to inspire us!

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 14

It’s publication day! Our children’s book, *Fearless Benjamin: The Quaker Dwarf who Fought Slavery*, co-written with Michelle Markel and illustrated by Sarah Bachman, is out today with @pmpress.bsky.social. Use BEN! at checkout for a 20% discount. Help spread the word!

pmpress.org/index.php?l=...

Marcus Rediker @marcusrediker.bsky.social · Oct 9

Thank you, Chris!

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