Photograph by Julie Verlinden
I am a historian of early America and the Atlantic World. In my work, I explore the multi-faceted dimensions of slavery, slave trade, and cross-cultural contact in the Dutch Atlantic and Early America with special emphasis on early New York. My first book, Spaces of Enslavement: A History of Slavery and Resistance in Dutch New York, is coming out this fall (2021) with Cornell University Press. I am currently researching the 1663/1664 voyage of the Dutch slaver Gideon.
At the University of New Orleans, I teach courses in among others Early American history, Atlantic history, histories of Slavery and Slave Trade, Silences and Biases in the Archives, and the Spatial Turn in the Humanities.
The History of Slavery in Dutch New York is part of Dutch Slavery History
I was born and raised in the Netherlands. I always had an interest in the history of slavery, but learned very little about Dutch slavery when growing up. This lack of exposure to such an important part of Dutch history encouraged me to study slavery more generally and in the Dutch Atlantic in particular when I had a chance to do so at the University of Amsterdam (BA & MA), Louisiana State University (ISEP), and Boston University (Ph.D.). Through my research and writing, I hope to bring more attention to this history.
Child of the Van Rensselaer Family and Servant. Attributed to John Heaton, Albany, c. 1730
This painting depicts one of the Van Rensselaer children with an enslaved boy in the background.
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Research
Learn more about my forthcoming book Spaces of Enslavement and other research projects, including my work on the Gideon.
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Teaching
Over the years I have taught a wide variety of courses ranging from Atlantic History to the Spatial Turn in the Humanities at various universities. Learn more about my teaching here.
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Public Scholarship
Learn more about the Digital Exhibit on Slavery in New York, other public history projects, and upcoming events here.