Kathryn Cramer Brownell
Dr. Kathryn Cramer Brownell is an author and assistant professor of history at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN where she teaches courses in 20th century American history. She received her B.A. from University of Michigan and her Ph.D. from Boston University. Her research and teaching focus on American political history, the American presidency, and intersections of media, politics and popular culture in modern America.
Conventional wisdom holds that John F. Kennedy was the first celebrity president, in no small part because of his innate television savvy. But, as Kathryn Brownell shows, Kennedy capitalized on a tradition and style rooted in California politics and the Hollywood studio system. Since the 1920s, politicians and professional showmen have developed relationships and built organizations, institutionalizing Hollywood styles, structures, and personalities in the American political process.
About
Dr. Kathryn Cramer Brownell is an author and associate professor of history at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN where she teaches courses in 20th century American history. She received her B.A. from University of Michigan and her Ph.D. from Boston University. Her research and teaching focus on American political history, the American presidency, and intersections of media, politics and popular culture in modern America. Her most recent book, Showbiz Politics: Hollywood in American Political Life, examines the institutionalization of entertainment in American politics.
Recent Tweets
- RT @CMcKNichols : Fantastic insights by Andrew Preston about the problematic elasticity of ‘#national #security’ as a policy rationale, toda… 18 hours ago
- RT @LeahRigueur : What happens when Joanne the Scammer decides she’s had enough? You get Unhinged. Head over to @cosmopolitan to check ou… 3 days ago
- RT @womnknowhistory : Hey Journalists! 📢 Working on a new piece and looking for historical expertise? Take a look at the nearly 3000 experts… 4 days ago