Growing up in Boston Massachusetts greatly influenced Richard Morris' interest in Colonial America and the American Revolution. After receiving his undergraduate education at Boston University, Dr. Morris earned a doctorate in Early American History from New York University. His area of specialization and his publications focus on the American Revolution because he believes it remains the central defining event in American History. When Americans broke from Britain and created their own state and national governments they had many challenges to overcome. How would they improve the human condition? How would they pass along this vision of freedom to the people so they might adopt social, political, and economic systems that would enable citizens to recognize their responsibilities and secure their rights? The conclusions that this founding generation drew upon continue to define American's sense of national identity and purpose today.

Professor Morris has published essays on the Revolution in the Journal of Urban History, the Journal of Social History, and the New England Quarterly.

In addition to teaching courses on Early American History, Professor Morris also offers courses in Women's History and Latin American History.