Danielle Allen is an American political theorist and classicist known for her work on justice and citizenship in both ancient Athens and modern America. She is a University Professor at Harvard University, where she directs the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics. Allen has also been a contributing columnist for the Washington Post and a frequent public lecturer. Renowned for her ability to connect insights from the classical world with contemporary issues, she has written several books and articles on democratic theory, political sociology, and the history of political thought. Her notable works include "Talking to Strangers: Anxieties of Citizenship since Brown v. Board of Education" and "Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality," which reflects her interdisciplinary engagement with history, literature, and politics. She has been awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the "genius grant," for her ability to combine the classicist's careful attention to texts and language with the political theorist's sophisticated and informed engagement. Danielle Allen is also a staunch advocate for participatory democracy and civic education.