Archivist of the United States

Archivist of the United States
source
Post	Archivist of the United States
Body	the United States
Insigniasize	150
Insigniacaption	Seal of the National Archives and Records Administration
Incumbent	Colleen Shogan
Incumbentsince	May 17, 2023
Department	National Archives and Records Administration
Style	Mr. or Madam Archivist
Appointer	The President of the United States
Appointer qualified	with Senate advice and consent
Termlength	No fixed term
Formation	1934
First	R.D.W. Connor
Salary	Executive Schedule, Level III

Archivist of the United States is the head of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the federal agency responsible for preserving and providing access to the nation's historical records. Appointed by the President of the United States with the confirmation of the United States Senate, the Archivist oversees a vast collection that includes foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The position is central to ensuring government transparency, managing federal records, and safeguarding the documentary heritage of the United States.

History and establishment

The office was formally established with the creation of the National Archives Establishment in 1934 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The National Archives Act placed the new agency under the leadership of an Archivist, with the first appointee, R.D.W. Connor, taking office that same year. Initially part of the General Services Administration following the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, the agency regained its independence as NARA through the National Archives and Records Administration Act signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. This legislative history reflects the evolving recognition of the importance of professional, nonpartisan records management within the Federal government of the United States.

Appointment and tenure

The Archivist is nominated by the President of the United States and must be confirmed by the United States Senate following hearings typically held by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The position carries no fixed term, serving at the pleasure of the president, though Archivists have historically served across multiple administrations to promote nonpartisan stability. The salary is set at Level III of the federal pay scale. The appointment process is designed to select individuals with demonstrated expertise in historical preservation, archival science, or public administration, ensuring the leader of NARA is qualified to manage its critical mission.

Duties and responsibilities

The Archivist’s primary duty is the administration of NARA, which includes the preservation of historically valuable federal records housed in facilities like the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. and National Archives at College Park. Key responsibilities involve overseeing the Federal Records Act, setting policies for records management across agencies like the Department of Defense and the Department of State, and facilitating public access through resources like the Archival Research Catalog. The Archivist also plays a ceremonial role in the Charters of Freedom display and administers pivotal processes such as the Electoral College vote count certification presented to the United States Congress. Furthermore, the office oversees the Presidential Libraries Act, managing the network of libraries from Herbert Hoover to the present.

List of Archivists

Since 1934, there have been eleven confirmed Archivists of the United States. The first was historian R.D.W. Connor, followed by successors including Wayne Grover who served during the Cold War, and Robert M. Warner who led the transition to independence in the 1980s. John W. Carlin, former Governor of Kansas, served during the implementation of major electronic records initiatives. Allen Weinstein oversaw the controversial George W. Bush presidential records, and David Ferriero, the first librarian to hold the post, modernized digital access. The current and first female Archivist is Colleen Shogan, confirmed in 2023.

Relationship to the National Archives

The Archivist serves as the chief executive officer of the National Archives and Records Administration, reporting directly to the President of the United States. The Archivist sets the strategic direction for the agency’s operations, which include regional archives like the National Archives at Atlanta and special projects such as the Founding Fathers Papers projects. The office works closely with independent bodies within NARA like the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and advises on matters pertaining to the Freedom of Information Act. This relationship underscores the Archivist’s integral role in fulfilling NARA’s statutory mission to protect and provide access to the nation’s archival heritage. Category:National Archives and Records Administration Category:United States federal archivists Category:1934 establishments in the United States