Welcome to Rob Natelson’s website.

Rob is a nationally-recognized constitutional scholar, historian, commentator, and frequent guest on broadcast media. He is Senior Fellow in Constitutional Jurisprudence at the Independence Institute in Denver and a former law professor. He is best known for his scholarship on the American Founding and the Constitution’s original meaning.

You can find Rob’s full biography here. You can find his two most recent books immediately below. His other constitutional publications are listed on the bibliography page.

Thanks for visiting.

The Original Constitution: The Historical Meaning of America’s Supreme Law.

Learn what even most experts don’t know from a foremost constitutional expert:

• The meanings of the Constitution’s words and phrases, many of which were understood and defined differently in the 18th century.
• How the founders wanted the Constitution interpreted, and whether it is really a “living” document.
• How the original Constitution protected your rights, and the difference between rights and privileges.
• How the framers were ahead of their time in respecting women and minorities.
… and much, much more



A Word From The Author

I wrote this book to provide citizens with an objective, accurate picture of our Constitution as it came from the pens of our Founders. In covering each section, I provided the Founders’ views of the Constitution, rather than mine or anyone else’s. I hope you find the book valuable and enjoyable.

Rob Natelson

Constitutional scholar and author

David et Phoenix

The children’s classic, David and the Phoenix, is now translated for the first time into Latin!

“Quomodo distinguitur Monoceros verus a falso?”

“Ne—nescio.”

“Sic credidi. Ubi invenitur Philosophi Lapis?”

“Nescio.”

“Quaestionem quidem pono facilem. Cum a Chimera oppugnaris, quid est regula defensionis prima?”

David incommode se torsit. “Vereor ne illud quoque nesciam,” dixit voce parvula.

“Accurate!” clamavit Phoenix. “Veram eruditionem activam habes tu nullam—tu non es adparatus Vitam. Egomet tamen, mi puer, eruditionem tuam suscipiam.”