Peter Kastor

In this discussion, Peter Kastor, a history professor and founder of a digital project on early U.S. governance, unpacks how the federal government took shape from 1789 to 1829. He reveals the fascinating growth of federal employees during George Washington’s presidency, and the personal stories behind early government roles. Kastor also spotlights the contributions of marginalized groups in a predominantly male structure, and explores how the founding fathers' cautious views could have altered the path of American history.