Michael Willrich, a Brandeis University associate professor of history who lives in Wellesley, is making the rounds to promote his new book, titled Pox: An American History.

On Tuesday, he’ll be a guest on NPR’s Fresh Air program and on Wednesday, he’ll be at Wellesley Books to discuss the story of how America’s Progressive-era war on smallpox sparked a great civil liberties battle during the 20th century.

On the topic, Willrich penned an editorial for the New York Times in January headlined “Why Parents Fear the Needle,” diving into the recent controversy over whether vaccines cause autism.

Earlier works from Willrich include City of Courts: Socializing Justice in Progressive Era Chicago.