Historians in the News

The AHA Appoints Allison Miller New Editor of Perspectives

With a PhD in history from Rutgers University‑New Brunswick (2012) and 10 years’ experience in magazine and academic publishing, Miller brings to Perspectives a flair for the written word to match her commitment to the scholarly practice of history.

AHA scores victory in Virginia

Chairs of departments at public universities won’t have to disclose personal finances

Economic history is dead; long live economic history?

Economic history may well be dead as a subject studied in independent academic departments, as it was at universities in the 1970s. But as a subject that is needed as part of the study of economics and the making of public policy, economic history is—and should be—very much alive.

Larry Kramer chastises historians for ignoring gay history

He singles out Doris Kearns Goodwin, among others, in a new book that’s being sold as a novel but which Kramer says is history.

In addition to Watergate! Stanley Kutler’s Other Monument

by Michael H. Ebner

It's Reviews in American History.

Historian Stanley Kutler has passed away

He forced the release of Nixon tapes.

Historian James Billington taken to task by the NYT for the way he runs the Library of Congress

The GAO recently criticized him for his neglect of digital archives. 

Blogger Ann Little says she’s tired of male historians saying they don’t do women’s history

by Ann Little

Even if you “don’t do women’s history,” ask yourself if that’s a choice or a fate.

Joan Waugh on Grant's and Lee's 'gentlemen's agreement' ending the Civil War

If it weren't for Grant, Lee and Appomattox, the Civil War's aftermath could have been far worse

Charlatan or Sage? Contested Legacy of the late Dr. Ben, a Father of African Studies

In the 1960s, Ben-Jochannan emerged as prominent figure, claiming that the very foundations of Western civilization, including Greek philosophy, Judaism and Christianity, were African in origin. Critics were scathing.

Historians make it easy for visitors to DC to understand the history of the Mall

by Sharon M. Leon

25 million visit the Mall annually. Few know its history.

History's Grandin Wins Bancroft Prize for "The Empire of Necessity"

Grandin’s book centers on the Herman Melville novella, Benito Cereno. In constructing it, Melville draws from the memoirs of Captain Amasa Delano, an early-19th century New England seal hunter, who climbs aboard a distressed Spanish ship carrying West Africans he thought were slaves. He is mistaken.

Nobel prize-winning scientist writes a history of science

Steven Weinberg's book grew out of a series of lectures he gave at University of Texas, Austin, for a course he began teaching a few years back.

Ken Burns tackles history of cancer

Ken Burns' new documentary, Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, marks a contrast to the historical documentaries for which he's best known. Unlike the Civil War or the Roosevelt presidencies, the story of cancer doesn't yet have an ending.

If historians have their way, Americans will soon learn how important religion has been in US history

by Charles Richter

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History is now adding religion to history visitors see.

Role-playing history game gets students jazzed

Barnard history professor Mark Carnes pioneered the history games over the past 14 years.

OAH denounces anti-gay legislation signed by Indiana governor

The so-called religious freedom act allows businesses to discriminate against gay people.

Emory’s Leslie Harris says we should remember the racist roots of American colleges as we think about what went wrong at OU and other schools

Demands to rename Tillman Hall at Clemson University, the circulation of a video showing a racist chant at the University of Oklahoma and the discovery of a fraternity pledge book discussing lynching at North Carolina State University demonstrate how persistent racial issues are on college campuses.

Stanford historian looks to the U.S. Postal Service to map the boom and bust of 19th-century American West

The history of the settlement of the American West comes to life with Geography of the Post, a digital mapping platform that creates visualizations of where and when post offices operated.

U.S. historian denounces Japanese scholars' statement over wartime sexual slavery

The demand, led by history scholar Ikuhiko Hata, followed and were similar to the much-denounced attempts by Japan's government to pressure U.S. publisher McGraw-Hill to alter the description of the sexual slavery issue, claiming there are grave errors in the textbook.