Barrett, James R. (1950-) | University of Illinois Archives

James R. Barrett (1950- ) is an emeritus professor of History and African American Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In 1984, Barrett started as assistant professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and received tenure in 1994. During his time at the University of Illinois, Professor Barrett served as chair of the History Department (1997-2000, 2010-2011) and as the President of the Union of Professional Employees (1994-1996, 2012-2013). Since 2014, Barrett has also been a scholar in residence at the Newberry Library in Chicago. Professor Barrett is recognized for his work in US working-class history, Irish American labor history, and urban racial and ethnic history.

James R. Barrett was born on June 14, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois. He earned his undergraduate degree in History at the University of Illinois Chicago in 1972. Barrett attended a history master’s program at Northern Illinois University and then transferred to the University of Warwick where he received an M.A. in Comparative Labor History in 1974. In 1981, he earned a Ph.D. in History from the University of Pittsburgh. Barrett worked as an assistant professor at North Carolina State University from 1981-1984 and as a visiting assistant professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill from 1983-1984. Barrett was married to Jenny Barrett until her passing in 2021.

While at the University of Illinois, Professor Barrett developed courses on labor history, Chicago and Illinois history, and Irish American history. He served on numerous University of Illinois committees. In addition to being Chair of the History Department (1997-2000, 2010-2011), he acted as Associate Chair and Director of Graduate Studies (1991-1993) and still acts co-editor of The Working Class in American History (2000-Present).

In addition to his work at UIUC, Professor Barrett has consulted on educational videos teaching labor organizing and labor history. He was interviewed and consulted for television and radio including programs on Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle and a National Public Television Play on the Chicago stockyards and 1919 race riot called “The Killing Floor.” Barrett also taught working-class history, social history, and African American history to teachers in Illinois school districts. He was professionally involved in the Organization of American Historians (OAH), the Labor and Working-Class History Association (LAWCHA), the Society for Immigration and Ethnic History, and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Both at the University of Illinois and throughout the state of Illinois, Barrett engaged in labor and reform movements. On campus, Barrett supported the development of the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) and their strikes. Off campus, he supported strikes of organizations such as United Farm Workers and Staley workers (UPIU Local 7837) in Decatur. Barrett contributed to petitions and participated in demonstrations for labor rights.

A prolific author, Barrett has published numerous books, articles, book chapters, blog posts, encyclopedia entries, photo essays, conference and invited papers, op-eds as well as over 125 book and film reviews. His books include Steve Nelson, American Radical (1981), Work and Community in 'The Jungle': Chicago's Packing House Workers (1987), William Z. Foster and the Tragedy of American Radicalism (2000), The Irish Way: Becoming American in the Multi-Ethnic City (2012), and, recently, A David Montgomery Reader: Capitalism and Workers Resistance (2024).

Professor Barrett has received awards and honors including numerous UIUC teaching awards, such as the Richard G. and Carole J. Cline University Scholar (highest recognition for faculty in the University of Illinois system) (1990-93) and Distinguished Lecturer, Organization of American Historians (2006-Present). He has also received the Illinois State Historical Society Book Award for Work and Community in the Jungle (1988); service awards including the Illinois Federation of Teachers AFL-CIO for Outstanding Dedication and Service to the Trade Union Movement (1989) and the Distinguished Service Award, Labor and Working-Class History Association (2019); and two Carlton Qualey Article Awards (1998, 2006).

His fellowships, residencies, and grants include: Lloyd Lewis/NEH Senior Fellowship in American History, The Newberry Library (1990-91); IREX Short-term Research Grant, Center for the Preservation and Study of Documents of Modern History, Moscow, (Summer 1994); Organization of American Historians/Japan Association of American Studies Exchange, Residency at Osaka University of Foreign Studies, (May-June, 2001); Associate, Center for Advanced Study, University of Illinois at Urbana (2007, 2008-2009, 2010); Fellow, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Summer, 2012); and Guest Professor of History, Osaka University (Summer, 2012).