J.Michael Martinez

The Sage of Monticello—Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, founder of the University of Virginia,...

My latest book project, tentatively titled Scoundrels: Political Scandals in American History, is a retrospective examination of infamous...

I am pleased to announce that my 14th book, Congressional Giants: Influential Leaders of Congress and How They Shaped American History,...

I am taking a break from reporting on my current research efforts to explore a slightly different topic in this posting. Because I have...

A March 2019 Rolling Stone story on Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar summarized her place in American culture during the third year of...

As I discuss in my forthcoming book, Congressional Pathfinders: “First” Members of Congress and How They Shaped American History,...

In 2017, the first Indian-American woman to serve in the United States House of Representatives swore an oath to represent the seventh...

Catherine Cortez Masto became the first Latina United States senator when she won the election in 2016 to succeed Harry Reid, a...

Ladda Tammy Duckworth is a trailblazer in many ways. She is the first Thai-American and the first disabled woman elected to the United...

As I discuss in my forthcoming book Congressional Pathfinders: “First” Members of Congress and How They Shaped American History, Daniel...

Edward Moore “Ted” Kennedy was one of those public figures that engenders strong emotions. He is loved and hated in almost equal measure...

Republican Arthur Hendrick Vandenberg served as a United States senator representing Michigan from 1928 until his death in 1951. During...

Robert Ferdinand Wagner served as a Democratic United States senator from New York from 1927 until 1949. He was well-known for his...

George William Norris of Nebraska served five terms in the United States House of Representatives (1903-1913) as well as five terms in...

Robert Marion La Follette, Sr., was nicknamed “Fighting Bob” for a reason: he was an outspoken and tenacious supporter of numerous...

Carter Glass, a white southern politician in the age of Jim Crow, was an ardent racist and apologist for segregation, but he was much...

I am pleased to announce the publication of my 13th book, Congressional Lions: Trailblazing Members of Congress and How They Shaped...

One commentator characterized Benjamin Franklin Wade, the Radical Republican from Ohio, as “pugnacious,” and indeed he was. Other...

Charles Sumner was an erudite, haughty senator from Massachusetts, a man confident in his superior intellect and legislative acumen. He...

Thaddeus Stevens, a nineteenth century “Radical Republican,” was one of the most effective and passionate men to ever serve in the United...