This Guy Sucked The Anti-Suffragists with Sophia Rosenfeld (Subscriber Preview)
Dec 18, 2025
In this discussion, Sophia Rosenfeld, a history professor and author, delves into the complex world of anti-suffragists—those who opposed women’s voting rights. She shares fascinating archival experiences and highlights how historical research often leads to unexpected discoveries. Rosenfeld explains the motives of anti-suffrage movements, revealing their influence on contemporary political discourse. The conversation uncovers their tactics, arguments about family and nation, and connects past suffrage debates to modern implications.
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Hidden Archive Discovery In Paris
- Sophia Rosenfeld found uncatalogued 18th-century records in a washroom at a Paris institution while researching her dissertation.
- She describes the thrill of feeling like the first person to examine those boxes and discovering unexpected treasures.
Serendipity Turned A Fake Trip Fruitful
- Claire Aubin recounts bullshitting her way into a grant to visit CU Boulder and finding uncatalogued boxes that were fruitful for her research.
- Both hosts note how much historical work relies on serendipity and accidental discoveries outside planned strategies.
Accident Fuels Historical Discovery
- Sophia Rosenfeld and Claire Aubin emphasize that many historical findings arise from accidents, cross-disciplinary lectures, or random conversations.
- They argue that these unpredictable inputs often open whole new directions in research and writing.