Heather Richardson
Born 1962 · Age 64
American historian, professor at Boston College, author of multiple books on 19th-century U.S. history and contemporary politics; creator of the "Letters from an American" newsletter and host of podcasts.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Chicago, Illinois
Heather Cox Richardson was born in Chicago and later raised in Maine.
Graduated Phillips Exeter Academy (class of '80)
Attended Phillips Exeter Academy; Exeter lists her as class of 1980.
AB degree from Harvard University (approx.)
Received an AB from Harvard (Harvard AB date not given; 1984 is a reasonable estimate after Exeter '80).
MA from Harvard University (approx.)
Received an MA from Harvard; year not specified and estimated pre-PhD.
Ph.D. from Harvard University (estimated)
Completed doctoral work at Harvard; advisors included David Herbert Donald and William Gienapp. Year is inferred because first book derived from dissertation was published in 1997.
Published first book: The Greatest Nation of the Earth
Book grew out of her Harvard dissertation; examined Republican economic policies during the Civil War.
Published The Death of Reconstruction
Extended study of postwar Republican policy and Northern abandonment of Reconstruction.
Published West from Appomattox
Book presenting Reconstruction as a national event that included the West.
Published Wounded Knee
Wounded Knee: Party Politics and the Road to an American Massacre (2010) — argued party politics and opportunism led to the massacre.
Reviewed and discussed in national media
Her books and scholarship received national attention and reviews in outlets including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, and others (ongoing across years; example Wounded Knee coverage in 2010).
Joined Boston College faculty
Became a faculty member in the History Department at Boston College (BC notes she has been faculty there since 2011).
Co-founded 'We're History' website
Co-founded werehistory.org and served as a co-editor (site active 2014–2020).
Published To Make Men Free
To Make Men Free: A History of the Republican Party (2014).
We're History co-editor role
Served as co-editor for werehistory.org (2014–2020), producing accessible history writing.
Began co-hosting NPR podcast 'Freak Out and Carry On'
Co-hosted the NPR podcast Freak Out and Carry On (2017 start).
Ended co-hosting 'Freak Out and Carry On' (approx.)
Podcast co-hosting with NPR concluded around 2018 (Freak Out and Carry On ran 2017–2018).
Newsletter began as Facebook posts during Trump impeachment inquiry
Letters from an American started as nightly Facebook posts during the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump before moving to a formal newsletter format.
Started 'Letters from an American' newsletter
Began writing a daily synopsis of political events (originally on Facebook during the Trump impeachment inquiry) then added the newsletter 'Letters from an American' in Sept 2019.
Published How the South Won the Civil War
How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America (2020).
On track to ~$1M annual newsletter revenue (reported)
As of Dec 2020 reporting indicated Richardson was on track to bring in a million dollars of revenue a year from her Substack paid publication.
Reached 1+ million subscribers on Substack; top individual Substack author
By December 2020 her newsletter had grown to over one million subscribers; described as the most successful individual author on Substack and projected to be on track for ~$1M revenue/year.
Named to Forbes 50 Over 50 list
Appeared on Forbes' 50 Over 50 list (2021).
Massachusetts Governor's Awards in the Humanities recipient
Selected as one of four recipients for the 2021 Massachusetts Governor's Awards in the Humanities.
Ruth Ratner Miller Memorial Award of Excellence in American History
Named winner of the Ruth Ratner Miller Memorial Award of Excellence in American History (BC news references award in context of 2021 recognitions).
Began co-hosting 'Now & Then' podcast
Co-hosted the podcast Now & Then with historian Joanne B. Freeman (podcast run listed 2021–2023).
Received Frances Perkins Center Intelligence and Courage Award
Received the Frances Perkins Center Intelligence and Courage Award (award mentioned in multiple sources, tied to 2021 honors).
Boston magazine 'Best Pandemic Newsletter' award
Letters from an American received '2021 Best Pandemic Newsletter' in Boston magazine's 'Best of Boston' awards.
Named one of USA Today's Women of the Year
USA Today recognized Richardson as one of the Women of the Year for 2022.
President of The Historical Society (role noted)
Listed as president of The Historical Society, an organization to bring academic history to general readers (year unspecified in sources; active leadership role noted in AmAcad profile).
Invited speaker/panelist at national events
Participated as a panelist at events such as The Common Good Town Hall: 'Bridging America's Divides' (date listed on event page; exact year not always specified).
Interviewed President Joe Biden at the White House
Interviewed U.S. President Joe Biden in February 2022 at the White House as part of her public-facing work.
Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (class announced May 2022).
Married Buddy Poland
Married Buddy Poland, a lobsterman, in September 2022.
Published Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America
Seventh book, grows out of Letters from an American; examines roots of fascism and democratic backsliding in U.S. history (published 2023).
Now & Then podcast run concluded (approx.)
Now & Then is listed through 2023; co-hosting with Joanne B. Freeman ran approximately 2021–2023.
Described by The Guardian as significant progressive pundit
The Guardian in 2023 described Richardson as 'the single most-important progressive pundit' in recent memory, reflecting her influence as a public historian.
Letters from an American readership ~1.3M
By January 2024 the newsletter had about 1.3 million people reading each newsletter (Wikipedia summary).
Active faculty member and public commentator
Continued role as Professor of History at Boston College; frequent media contributor to The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, etc.
Continued high-profile media presence and contributions
Regular commentator and writer; contributions to major outlets continued; public scholarship expanded through newsletter, books, and speaking engagements.
Received Authors Guild Foundation Baldacci Award for Literary Activism
Awarded the Baldacci Award for Literary Activism for 2024 (Authors Guild Foundation Gala June 12, 2024).
Awarded the Kidger Award (NEHTA) at NCSS Conference
In November 2024 Richardson was awarded the Kidger Award by the New England History Teachers Association at the NCSS Conference in Boston.
Reported social reach: Facebook and Substack (per TIME profile)
Time (July 2025) profile cites 'Letters from an American' appearing on Facebook (3.2 million followers) and Substack (2.5 million subscribers).
Named to TIME100 Creators 2025
Named to the Time100 Creators of 2025 for 'Letters from an American'; profile notes large social followings.
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