Historian Richard Bell received his PhD from Harvard University and his BA from the University of Cambridge. His research explores American history between 1750 and 1877, uncovering the people, politics, and paradoxes that shaped the early republic.

Bell’s newest book, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World (Penguin/Riverhead, 2025), has earned starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal, and Kirkus Reviews for its sweeping and deeply researched look at the global impact of America’s founding event.

On November 14, the Maryland Center for History and Culture will host a preview screening of Ken Burns’ The American Revolution, an expansive and evenhanded exploration of the virtues and contradictions at the heart of independence. Following the screening, Richard will moderate a panel discussion delving into the film’s themes and what they reveal about civic engagement today.

Register for the event here: Preview Screening: The American Revolution and Civic Engagement Night