April 27—When fall arrives and Northwestern students and professors return to campus, Jonathan Den Hartog, Ph.D. will be starting his sabbatical year at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey.

An associate professor of history, Den Hartog will be a Visiting Fellow for 2012–13 with the James Madison Program for American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton.

One of 15 fellows selected for this highly competitive program, Den Hartog, who teaches early American history and American religious and political history, explained that the James Madison program studies American principles and polices and explores the question, ‘What goes into a healthy country?’

Research focus on early American history

Den Hartog will be focusing his research on two areas. In addition to exploring American responses to the French Revolution, his primary focus will be finding out more about one of country’s founding fathers, John Jay.

“We know so much about Washington, Adams and Madison,” said Den Hartog. “John Jay was the first chief justice [in the United States], yet very little is written about him. I find this rather bizarre. I think it’s wrong, actually.”

Den Hartog looks forward to the intellectual camaraderie with the other fellows, as well as the opportunity to recharge and enjoy uninterrupted time for writing and research in the Princeton Library, one of the oldest in the country.

His goals include making progress on a book project and gaining research for future endeavors. “I’ll be in stockpiling mode,” he admitted, wanting to bring back whatever information he can.

He’s also eager “to bring that knowledge into the classroom and share it with my students,” knowing the research gained on sabbatical will certainly benefit Northwestern when he returns to teach in fall of 2013. 

"I am thrilled that Dr. Den Hartog has been chosen as a Princeton Fellow,” said Janet Sommers, Ph.D., senior vice president for academic affairs. “His contagious passion for American history and politics will be well served as he furthers his scholarly work at one of our nation’s most renowned research universities. Dr. Den Hartog is richly deserving of this opportunity.”

Get to know more about Professor Den Hartog.