Historians in the News

How did someone who started out with a love for chemistry end up as a historian?

It's the story of David Rosner, who just got an award for his work.

Canada's Ian Mosby tells how he became an "Accidental Public Historian"

by Ian Mosby

Most Canadian historians aren’t used to the public paying much attention to our research, particularly our articles. But it seems that the recent rise of a vibrant community of historians on social media may have changed things.

History Professor Sues University of Pennsylvania for Gender Discrimination

Former Assistant Professor of History claims she was denied tenure due to bias against mothers.

Marty Sklar, Giant in History, Has Passed Away

by James Livingston

He believed in what was evident yet unknown, and acted upon it.

Historian says the South destroyed the reputation of President U.S. Grant

Joan Waugh says it was southern authors and historians who made Grant's name synonymous with brutal warfare, alcoholism and overwhelming corruption.

Khalil Gibran Muhammad says it's too easy to say Donald Sterling represents the past (Interview)

"[My daughter] said ‘I don’t want to be black anymore, I want to be white."

Princeton hires first professor of Asian-American history

Her appointment follows the University’s 2013-14 hiring of its first professor in Latino history, Rosina Lozano.

H. W. Brands is doing American history in 17 syllables and 140 characters

"It occurred to me that the 17 syllables in a haiku fit conveniently in 140 characters of twitter.”

Scholar who debunked Niebuhr's authorship of the Serenity Prayer reverses himself

by Fred R. Shapiro

It took years of research to confirm Niebuhr's authorship.

Rhode Island has a Historian Laureate? (Yes, though critics say he takes the top-down approach)

"Historian Laureate Patrick T. Conley’s view of Rhode Island history is one where great men built greater factories and amassed the greatest of fortunes."

Daniel Anker, Maker of Powerful Documentaries, Dies at 50

Mr. Anker was a storyteller, not an innovator.

U. of Southern California Creates New Center for Genocide Research

The University of Southern California wants to create a West Coast hub of genocide scholarship.

After plagiarism allegations, English prof. was named dean at Brown

Some tenured faculty members in English dept. remain troubled by U.’s handling of the matter.

Labor History, Headed To A School Near You? (Maybe--if you live in Connecticut)

The bill directs the state Department of Education to draw up a curriculum on the subject and to make it available to local school boards for optional use.

UNC historians demand answers about scandal involving the athletic department

"Like many others on the Carolina faculty, we members of the History Department deplore the revelations of gross academic impropriety that have troubled our campus in recent years."

Thomas Slaughter interviewed about his new book on the American Revolution

by John Fia

This interview is based on his new book, The Tangled Roots of the American Revolution (Wang and Hill, June 2014).

Historian Michael Ignatieff writes a memoir explaining why he failed in politics

by Paul Wilson

He led his party to the greatest defeat in its history and left the field badly beaten.

New members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences include ...

Jill Lepore is among the new members. 

Yale's Donald Kagan says students need to study Western civilization

by Donald Kagan

"The civilization of the West ... was not the result of some inevitable process through which other cultures will automatically pass."

Ken Burns on Colbert to promote his new documentary, "The Address"

Ken Burns's latest documentary is about the Gettysburg Address.