The Slave Ship: A Human History

Marcus Rediker is an acclaimed historian, writer, and activist who has carved a distinctive niche in historical scholarship by focusing on the lives and struggles of marginalized groups. Born on October 14, 1951, in Owensboro, Kentucky, Rediker grew up in a working-class family, an experience that shaped his worldview and commitment to exploring the histories of ordinary people. His work epitomizes the genre of “history from below,” a method that seeks to recover the voices and agency of those often overlooked in traditional historical narratives.

Rediker pursued his undergraduate education at Virginia Commonwealth University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in history in 1976. His interest in radical history and activism led him to continue his studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a PhD in history in 1982. There, Rediker was influenced by scholars who emphasized Marxist theory and social history, particularly E. P. Thompson and the Annales School. These influences shaped his lifelong focus on labor history, social movements, and the lived experiences of oppressed groups.

Rediker began his teaching career at Georgetown University and later joined the University of Pittsburgh, where he became a distinguished professor of Atlantic history.