Clifton Hood
Clifton HoodProfessor Emeritus of History
Joined faculty in 1992
Ph.D., Columbia University.
M.A., Columbia University.
B.A., Washington University, summa cum laude.
Contact Information
Scholarly Interest
I'm the author of 722 Miles: The Building of the Subways and How They Transformed New York (Simon & Schuster, 1993; Johns Hopkins University Press, pbk. ed., 1995, centennial ed., 2004; second ed., 2011) and In Pursuit of Privilege: The Upper Class and the Making of New York City, since 1753 (Columbia University Press, 2016; pbk. ed., 2017).
I'm working on two book projects now. My major current effort is a history of imposters and imposture in the United States, that has the working title of American Imposters: Identity, Aspiration, Surveillance. I'm about halfway done wiht the rough draft. My other project, with the working title of Pittsburgh Plus and Minus: City and Region in the Fractured Metropolis, explores the relationship between core and periphery in the Pittsburgh region.
My research fields are urban history, New York City, and mass transit.
Teaching Experience
George E. Paulsen ’49 Professor of American History and Government, 2011.
Senior Fulbright Lecturer Seoul National University, Korea, Spring 2001
Assistant to Associate Professor of History, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Assistant Director and Adjunct Assistant Professor of History, LaGuardia and Wagner Archives, LaGuardia Community College\C.U.N.Y.
Instructor of History, Columbia University.
Courses Taught
History 111, "Topics in Introductory American History: History of New York City."
History 212: "History of HWS Colleges."
History 215, "American Urban History."
History 240, "Ethnicity and Immigration in American History."
History 246, "American Environmental History."
History 310, "The Rise of Industrial America."
History 311, "Twentieth-Century America."
History 352, "Wealth, Power, and Prestige: The Upper Class in American History."
Publications
722 Miles: The Building of the Subways and How They Transformed New York . (Simon & Schuster, 1993; Johns Hopkins University Press, pbk. ed., 1995, centennial ed., 2004; second ed., 2011).
In Pursuit of Privilege: The Upper Class and the Making of New York City, since 1753 (Columbia University Press, 2016, pbk ed., 2017.)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Business History Conference, Organization of American Historians, Pennsylvania Historical Association
SERVICE PROJECTS
Grant reviewer, American Council of Learned Societies, 2020.
Albert J. Beveridge Travel Award committee, American Historical Association, 2020.
Bancroft Prize in American History jury, 2019-20.
Annual Meeting Travel Grants committee, American Historical Association, 2017-20.
Board of Trustees, Western Reserve Academy, 2015 - Committees: Education and Planning (co-chair), Admissions; College Counseling.
External Reviewer, Niagara University History Department, 2013.
External reviewer, Manhattan College History Department, 2012.
Outside member, dissertation committee for Adam Zalma, Ph.D candidate in History, Rutgers University (Alison Isenberg, chair; Jackson Lears, Ann Fabian), 2011-2014.
Presenter, two Junior Forums on Immigration History, for 240 middle school students from the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ, April 15, 2011, and 210 middle school students from the Archdiocese of New York, June 10, 2011, Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
Panelist, Division of Research Programs, National Endowment for the Humanities, 2010.
Lead historian, Seminar on History of the Gilded Age for Teachers, Moorehead, MN, Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, February 18-19, 2010.
Lead historian, two Summer Seminars on History of the Gilded Age for Teachers, Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, June [New York City] and August [Wayne, NJ] 2009
Presenter, Summer Seminar on Urban Social History for Teachers, New York City, Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, 2008.
Presenter, Summer Seminar on Urban Social History for Teachers, Gilder Lehrman Institute of
American History, 2008.
Conference Committee, Urban History Association, 2007-2008.
Panelist, Division of Research Programs, National Endowment for the Humanities, 2005.
Chair, Committee on Organization and By-Law Revision, Urban History Association, 2005-06.
Steward, Archives Partnership Trust, New York State Archives, 2004-.
Panelist, Division of Access and Preservation, National Endowment for the Humanities, 2004.
External Reviewer, Department of History, Manhattanville College, 2003.
Board of Directors, New York Council for the Humanities, 2001-2007; Chair, Programs Committee, 2005-2007; Member, Executive Committee, 2005-2007, Vice Chair, 2006-2007.
Editorial Board, The New-York Journal of American History, 2001-09.
Chair, Lewis Mumford Prize Committee for Best Book in Urban Planning, Society for American City and Regional Planning History, 2003.
Conference Committee, Urban History Association, 2001-02.
Ellis W. Hawley Prize Committee, Organization of American Historians, 2000-01.
Board of Directors, Urban History Association, 1999-2001.
Associate Editor, Encyclopedia of New York State, 1998-2005.
Membership Secretary, Urban History Association, 1994-97.
Chair, Best Article Committee, Urban History Association, 1992.
Associate Editor, Encyclopedia of New York City, 1988-95.
Secretary, Columbia University Seminar on the City, 1978-80.
