Richard Polenberg

About the Author

Richard Polenberg is a distinguished historian and professor emeritus of American history at Cornell University, where he taught for over three decades and inspired generations of scholars with his insightful analyses of twentieth-century America. Specializing in the transformative periods of U.S. political and social development, Polenberg's work illuminates the complexities of leadership, policy, and cultural shifts during pivotal eras. His acclaimed book, The Era of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933-1945: A Brief History with Documents (The Bedford Series in History and Culture), offers a concise yet comprehensive examination of the New Deal and World War II years, blending primary sources with expert commentary to bring Roosevelt's presidency vividly to life. Throughout his career, Polenberg has contributed numerous articles and essays to leading academic journals, earning praise for his rigorous research and accessible prose that bridges scholarly depth with broad appeal.