US historian Jill Lepore to speak at the Opening Press Conference of the 2026 Frankfurter Buchmesse

US historian and author Jill Lepore will speak at the Opening Press Conference of Frankfurter Buchmesse (7–11 October 2026). Lepore is one of the most influential voices in American historiography. In her books and essays, she examines the history of American democracy – its promises as well as its failures.

The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence. To mark the occasion, Lepore has published her latest book “We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution”, which is due to be published in German on 2 April. In it, she traces the origins and development of the American constitutional idea: from the early debates on freedom and equality to today’s debates on democracy and civil rights.

Lepore’s work combines historical research with current political and social issues. She writes about the history of slavery and racial discrimination as well as the ongoing struggles for democratic participation in the United States. Her new book, “The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State” is due to be published in English in autumn 2026.

“We are delighted to welcome Jill Lepore to the Opening Press Conference of the world’s leading book fair,” says Juergen Boos, Director of Frankfurter Buchmesse. “Her work demonstrates how closely history and the present are intertwined. This is particularly true at a time when democracy, freedom and social participation seem to be under threat and are being renegotiated worldwide.”

Frankfurter Buchmesse’s Opening Press Conference will take place on Tuesday, 6 October 2026 in Frankfurt. The event traditionally kicks off the book fair week and is aimed at the international media. Each year, a literary speaker addresses the audience, shedding light on current cultural-political debates from a unique perspective.