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The Federalist Society mourns the loss of Gordon S. Wood, one of the great historians of the American founding, and a scholar whose work has shaped how generations of Americans understand who they are and where they came from.
Professor Wood passed away on June 7th, 2026. He was 92 years old.
Born in Concord, Massachusetts to a working class family, Wood showed academic promise from an early age, which his teachers, Ms. Betts in particular, noticed and encouraged. Ms. Betts ultimately inspired Wood to apply to Tufts University, where he completed an undergraduate degree in History, graduating summa cum laude in 1955.
After serving in the Air Force, Wood obtained a doctorate in History from Harvard University in 1964. Professor Bernard Bailyn, who would go on to win two Pulitzer Prizes in History, served as his mentor.
In 1969, the same year he joined the faculty of Brown University, Wood published “The Creation of the American Republic (1776-1787)” which later won the prestigious Bancroft Prize.
In 1991, Wood published “The Radicalism of the American Revolution,” which won the 1993 Pulitzer Prize in History. Widely regarded as one of the most important books ever written on the subject, it portrayed the Revolution as a profound social transformation, not merely a political one.
Professor Steve Calabresi, who considered Professor Wood one of his closest friends, shared the following statement:
“Gordon Wood was the greatest historian of the American Founding of our time and one of the most important scholars ever to write about the Revolution and the Constitution. His work transformed our understanding of the Founding and helped generations of Americans better understand the principles that define our nation.
But Gordon was far more than a great scholar. He was a man of extraordinary humility, kindness, and integrity. A courageous public intellectual, he never hesitated to defend historical truth, regardless of prevailing political fashions. He was also a loyal friend, a generous colleague, and one of the most thoughtful and engaging people I have ever known. I will especially miss our conversations and the many lunches we shared together in the faculty commons, and I will treasure those memories for the rest of my life.
Gordon's scholarship will endure for generations, but those who knew him will remember him just as much for being a wonderful and virtuous human being.”
The Federalist Society President & CEO Sheldon Gilbert reflects on the impact Gordon Wood had on him:
“I first came to know Gordon Wood through his books as an undergraduate history major, and over the years I collected nearly all of them. Many years ago, when I was a young husband and new father, I attended a book festival on the National Mall where Gordon was signing books. After an unusually long search for parking, I arrived well after his scheduled signing time had ended. Yet Gordon had stayed behind, signed all of my books, and graciously spent time talking with my wife and child while they waited for me. That generosity was emblematic of the man.
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of spending two days with Gordon filming conversations about the Founding, America250, and his remarkable career. Once again, he was extraordinarily generous with his time, continuing our discussions long after they were scheduled to end and sharing reflections on his life and work. We lost a brilliant man. We also lost a good man, a kind man. Too often, that Venn Diagram of brilliance and kindness does not overlap. It did with Gordon Wood. May God receive his soul, and may his memory be a blessing.”
Professor Wood’s scholarship has inspired generations of students, lawyers, judges, and scholars to engage deeply with our nation's history and its constitutional tradition.
The Federalist Society is deeply grateful for his towering scholarship and enduring contributions in capturing and telling America's story. We extend our sincerest condolences to his family & friends, including his beloved wife, Louise, and his three children.
As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, the Federalist Society has been honored to hear directly from Gordon Wood as he reflects on the ideas, events, and individuals that shaped our nation’s founding.