Historians in the News

Medieval History Scholar Takes Central Role in Trump’s Legal Team

His name is Andrew Ekonomou and he holds a PhD in medieval history from Emory.

Arnold Hirsch, influential historian of urban segregation, dies at 69

His book – “Making the Second Ghetto: Race and Housing in Chicago, 1940-1960” – sent a jolt through the field of urban history and remains a touchstone for historians, sociologists and journalists such as Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Rick Perlstein joins US Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in calling on top DOJ officials to sign a pledge not to interfere with the special counsel

by Richard Blumenthal and Rick Perlstein

"We expect that those charged with the solemn responsibility of protecting the integrity of American institutions will pledge publicly that the investigation can proceed without interference.”

Ibram X. Kendi tells UVA crowd we need a national conversation about whether we should be memorializing Jefferson

He suggested that students at the University of Virginia should lead the way.

I'm a Historian, and I Think Women's History Month Is a Mistake

by Nancy Goldstone

Women – half the population – shouldn’t be shunted aside 11 months of the year.

Jim Loewen is helping teachers teach difficult historical topics tied to race relations

by James W. Loewen

It’s part of a new NEA initiative.

Historian (and US Senator) Ben Sasse writing book on polarization

It's going to be titled "Them," with a subtitle of "Why We Hate Each Other and How to Heal."

Last Fall This Scholar Defended Colonialism. Now He’s Defending Himself.

An interview with Bruce Gilley, a political scientist at Portland State University.

Q: “Sir, would you like a history of this monument?” A: “F**k You!”

But this wasn’t the usual response, say Historians for a Better Future.

Historian: The Heavy Burden of Teaching My Son About American Racism

by Jemar Tisby

"If my black child has to learn that society will hate him, he should hear about it from someone who unconditionally loves him.”

Russian gulag historian faces 9 years in prison

Yury Dmitriyev's supporters say the case against him is an attempt by authorities to muzzle the outspoken historian whose research drew international attention to one of the darkest chapters of Russia's history.

University of Chicago’s Hanna Holborn Gray has written a memoir

In an interview she discusses sexism and offers advice for a new generation of women rising through the ranks.

“Civilisations" presenter David Olusoga blames Winston Churchill for war crimes in Africa

He says claims about the darker side of the former Prime Minster’s past are often drowned out by his status as a wartime leader.

Facebook’s Historian: Professor Heather Cox Richardson

“If you start to look at your history with clear eyes, you will be more likely to look at the world with clear eyes.”

Will Fitzhugh points out a weakness in Common Core

by Will Fitzhugh

"The Common Core, thanks to [David] Coleman [and the College Board], has promoted the message that History, too, is nothing but a collection of 'texts.' "

Historians at the Rochester Institute of Technology are bolstering Wikipedia’s archive of entries on women’s history

by Tamar Carroll and Lara Nicosia

Why? Wikipedia's coverage of women is less comprehensive, and its volunteer editor base is mostly male.

"Multiple Steves and Pauls": A History Panel Sets Off a Diversity Firestorm

Niall Ferguson conference at Stanford is being attacked for featuring 30 white men and not one woman.

David S. Wyman, author of "The Abandonment of the Jews," has died at age 89

“David was a brilliant scholar, a gifted speaker, an exceptional teacher, and a devoted friend. But above all, he was a person of extraordinarily fine character—a true ‘mensch’. ” – Rafael Medoff

Jon Meacham finds new meaning in the Age of Trump in Barbara Tuchman’s work on “The March of Folly”

by Jon Meacham

"To Tuchman, folly begins with the most fundamental of things: an outsize and self-destructive will to power."

University of Washington Dean defends the liberal arts degree on economic grounds

by Robert Stacey

Historian Robert Stacey says the belief that history majors are unemployable is plain wrong.