Author, Scholar, Teacher

Meet Rebecca Bratspies

Rebecca teaches at CUNY School of Law. She is a scholar of environmental justice, human rights, and environmental law. Her book Naming Gotham won the Association of Public Historians of New York 2023 Award for Excellence in Local History and the 2024 American Legacy Award for US Fiction. The Environmental Justice Chronicles, her graphic novel series won EPA’s 2023 Clean Air Excellence Award. In 2021, ABA-SEER honored her work with its Commitment to Diversity and Justice Award. The Centre for International Sustainability Law named her its 2022 International Human Rights Lawyer.

Rebecca Bratspies, a white woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a blue scarf.
American Legacy Book Award 2024 Award Winner seal

Naming Gotham: The Villains, Rogues, and Heroes Behind New York Place Names (History Press 2023)

If you have ever been stuck in traffic wondering who on earth that Major Deegan was, then this is the book for you . . . .Naming Gotham introduces readers to the fascinating lives behind the names that have become New York City’s urban shorthand for traffic jams, culture, and recreation.

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Cover of Naming Gotham. Starting from upper right, contains image of Peter Cooper, Henry Bruckner, NYC from Hell's Kitchen, Jackie Robinson, Shirley Chisholm, and Bryant Park
Front cover of Mayah's Lot, Book 1 of The Environmental Justice Chronicles

Read The Environmental Justice Chronicles & The Environmental Defenders series

Environmental Justice Chronicles: Join Mayah, Bina, and Troop as they organize their community for environmental justice and build a greener, more equitable Forestville.

Environmental Defenders Series: Stories of environmental defenders around the world facing violence and danger to defend forests, rivers, land, and so much more.

author and historian Rebecca Bratspies standing in front of a graffiti wall

“Environmental democracy and sustainable cities, with a special focus on New York City (also comic books about environmental justice and the human right to a healthy environment).”