Elliott Drago, Ph.D.

Elliott Drago joined the Jack Miller Center in April 2022. As Manager of the History Initiative, Elliott develops and implements new ways to expand the Jack Miller Center scholarly network by supporting network scholars and working to amplify their careers.

Elliott also writes and edits historical content for the JMC’s various platforms and conducts our scholar interviews. He also publishes historical pieces in popular outlets such as RealClear History and Civics. As the JMC’s resident historian, Elliott publishes original essays and book reviews in a number of academic journals, and serves as a lead researcher and reviewer for our forthcoming online American tradition library.

Elliott earned his B.A. in History from Saint Joseph’s University, his M.A. in United States History from Villanova University and his Ph.D. in United States History from Temple University.

His research focuses on the politics of slavery in the United States and his new book is entitled Street Diplomacy: The Politics of Slavery and Freedom in Philadelphia, 1820-1850 (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2022).

The Civil War reflected the culmination of street diplomacy, the efforts of black and white Americans who worked together to destroy slavery and bring about a more perfect Union.

– Elliott Drago