David Fott received his bachelor's degree in 1983 from Vanderbilt University and his master's degree in 1986 and doctoral degree in 1993 from Harvard University. He has translated Cicero’s On the Republic and On the Laws in an edition that contains an introduction, extensive notes, and a unique index of key terms (Cornell University Press, 2014). He is also writing a book on Cicero’s political philosophy. He is the author of John Dewey: America’s Philosopher of Democracy (Rowman and Littlefield, 1998) and articles and book chapters on Dewey, Cicero, Machiavelli, Montesquieu, US presidential power, and Jane Austen.

At UNLV he has taught a wide range of classes in political theory and American political thought, as well as introductory courses in American politics and political science.

Professor Fott is founder and director of the Great Works Academic Certificate Program at UNLV. The program encourages undergraduates to study classic ancient, medieval, and modern works of philosophy, politics, literature, science, religion, and the arts.