Robert (Rob) Swanson is originally from Bonners Ferry, Idaho, located near the Canadian border. After spending two years in Southern Chile as a volunteer representative for his church, Robert studied at Brigham Young University and earned a Bachelor of Art degree in history. He later received a Master of Art degree in history at the University of Rutgers-Camden and then entered the doctoral program for history at the University of Missouri. Swanson has published in a variety of venues, particularly on 19th century United States history. He first joined the State Historical Society as an intern for Dr. Gary Kremer and was hired as a historian in October of 2026. Robert enjoys spending time with his wife and children, hiking, cycling, and exploring the world around him.