Yale Historian John Fabian Witt Shares "Secret History" of Progressive-Era Activism

The College Prep auditorium was packed with students eager to hear historian and Yale Law School professor John Fabian Witt discuss his new book, The Radical Fund: How a Band of Visionaries and a Million Dollars Upended America. John, brother of English teacher and department head Dr. Susee Witt, shared a compelling story from the Progressive Era that resonates with today’s young changemakers. He shared the largely unknown history of Charles Garland, a young heir who redirected his inheritance to fund progressive causes, and the idealistic members of the “Garland Fund” who used these resources to support radical ideas and reshape American democracy.

 

Witt emphasized the enduring power of youth activism: “It’s a story about the ways in which young people can change the world,” he explained. “When I am demoralized about the world we live in, which I confess happens sometimes, I can fall back on the idea that the world has been changed. Behind the scenes there are all sorts of brilliant, young, charismatic people coming up with ideas that may in the future land in all sorts of unexpected ways.” Afterward History teacher Dan Song moderated enthusiastic student questions.