William B. Allen

William B. Allen is an emeritus professor of political philosophy and former dean of James Madison College at Michigan State University. Throughout his distinguished career, Prof. Allen has held several key positions, including Chairman of the United States Commission on Civil Rights and Executive Director of the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia. He has also served as a resident scholar and Chief Operating Officer at the Center for Urban Renewal and Education in Washington, D.C., and currently chairs the Harford County Public Library Board of Trustees.

Prof. Allen's scholarly contributions are extensive, with numerous books and essays to his credit. His notable works include George Washington: America's First Progressive (2008); Rethinking Uncle Tom: The Political Philosophy of H. B. Stowe (2009); and George Washington: A Collection (1988), which he edited. He is also the General Editor of The State of Black America: Progress, Pitfalls, and the Promise of the Republic (2022) and has recently published Montesquieu's The Spirit of the Laws: A Critical Edition (2024).

Recognized for his excellence in liberal education, Prof. Allen was listed on the 1997 Templeton Honor Roll and received the 2014 Salvatori Prize. He is a 2024 Bradley Prize laureate.