Tel: ext. 6692

Finn Pollard, PhD (Edinburgh)

Position:
Programme leader in American Studies, Senior Lecturer in History, US Exchange Co-ordinator

Departmental Responsibilities:
Unit Co-ordinator

Teaching

Finn teaches undergraduate modules at all levels on American history and culture. These include a first year introductory survey covering the period from first contact to George W. Bush; a second year course on the American Revolution and early American republic; and third year courses on America during the Cold War and a thematic exploration of nineteenth century America through literary texts (from Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin on slavery to Upton Sinclair's The Jungle on immigration).

Research

Finn’s research interests focus on early national America and American cultural history. He is currently working on two projects.

The Problem of Political Independence in 1790s America uses case studies of John Adams and others to explore the attempts of politicians to maintain political independence despite the emergence of political parties in the first decade of the republic. He has recently received a British Academy grant to support research for this project in US archives.

The second project explores the image of America in the British mind through the films and literature of the Second World War. He would welcome applications from students in these areas, and in cultural history more broadly.

Selected Publications

The Literary Quest for an American National Character (Routledge, 2008)

“From beyond the grave and across the ocean: Washington Irving and the problem of being a questioning American, 1809-1820”, in American Nineteenth Century History, 8:1 (March 2007), 81-101.