Dr. Benjamin Nathans

Biography

Benjamin Nathans is the Alan Charles Kors Endowed Term Professor in the Department of History at the University of Pennsylvania. He specializes in Imperial Russia, the Soviet Union, modern European Jewish history, and the history of human rights. He has authored several significant works, including 'Pale: Jewish Encounter in Late Imperial Russia' and 'Success Is a Hopeless Cause: Lives of the Soviet Dissident Movement.' These works have yielded him numerous accolades, including the Koret Prize in Jewish History and the Vucinich Prize in Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies. His recent book was shortlisted for multiple prestigious prizes, including the Pulitzer Prize and the Lionel Gelber Prize. Nathans has published extensively, contributing articles and essays to prominent journals such as the New York Review of Books. He has also held visiting professorships at notable institutions in France and the UK. His direct mentoring of graduate students in the history of the Soviet Union and East European Jewry reflects his deep engagement with research and education in his fields of expertise. Nathans has worked as a consultant, aiding in the design of significant historical exhibitions in museums, including the Museum of Jewish History in Moscow. He continues to contribute to the academic community through editorial roles and collaborative projects.

Research Interests

Experience