He specializes in the history of American politics and public policy, economic history, and the history of demographic ideas and debates. In addition to The State and the Stork, Derek is the author, with John Fliter, of Fighting Foreclosure: The Blaisdell Decision, the Contract Clause, and the Great Depression. He grew up in Washington, D.C., received his BA from Carleton College, and then worked in advertising for a few years. He earned his MA from the University of Oregon and his PhD from the University of Virginia. Derek is married and has no children yet, but he loves babies.