Professor in Profile: Claudio Saunt

The University of Georgia website features a short written profile and video of Richard B. Russell Professor in American History Claudio Saunt. Saunt, who's been featured on the Chronicles many times, is known for his interest in early American, Native American and digital history. His digital projects, which give many people outside of academic access to interactive historical perspectives, has helped him make his mark.

He is among an elite cohort of historians who have gained scholarly and public attention for their inclusive, continental approaches to American history, and his perspectives permeate virtually all new historical scholarship. Saunt has published three award-winning books, but his belief that history is not merely for academicians has also guided his expansion into the digital world, including creating an online presence for American history.

One of the first scholars to recognize the value and possibilities of digital technology, he has used mega-data to create highly demonstrative digital mapping and interactive projects that reconstruct changing American population dynamics, land cessions, disease and Native demography. His forthcoming book, "Aboriginia: Mass Deportation and the Road to Indian Territory," is anticipated to become the leading history of Indian Removal.

As avid fans of Saunt's work, we are eagerly awaiting the release of his new book. If you've not had an opportunity to visit ehistory.org, the digital history platform Saunt created alongside fellow UGA history professor Stephen Berry, these slow summer months provide ample time for historical exploration. Be sure to check out Saunt's projects the Invasion of America, Indian Nation and Pox Americana, to name a few. Kudos to Saunt for work that reaches beyond academia and for being featured in this video profile by UGA Marketing and Communications staff. We are proud to have you among our Franklin College faculty members.