Society of American Historians

Society of American Historians. Founded in 1939 by the eminent historian Allan Nevins, the Society of American Historians is a distinguished organization dedicated to promoting literary distinction in the writing of history. It operates as an honorary society, electing members based on their demonstrated commitment to crafting historical works of exceptional narrative quality and scholarly integrity. The Society is affiliated with the Department of History at Columbia University and maintains its administrative offices in New York City.

History and founding

The Society was established in 1939 by Allan Nevins, a prolific historian and biographer who twice won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography. Nevins, then a professor at Columbia University, was deeply concerned that much academic historical writing had become overly specialized and inaccessible to the general public. He envisioned a fellowship of historians who placed a premium on literary artistry and narrative power, believing that history's greatest impact depended on its ability to engage a broad readership. The founding principles were articulated in the wake of significant national reflection during the Great Depression and on the eve of World War II, a period that underscored the vital public role of historical understanding. Early support came from prominent intellectuals and institutions, helping to cement its reputation within the American academic and literary landscape.

Membership and organization

Membership is by invitation only, extended to historians, journalists, and independent scholars whose published work exemplifies the highest standards of historical research combined with literary excellence. The Society's governing body is its Council, which includes officers such as the President and Secretary-Treasurer. Notable past presidents include Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., a key advisor to President John F. Kennedy, and David McCullough, the celebrated author of biographies on Harry S. Truman and John Adams. The organization collaborates closely with Columbia University, which provides an institutional home, and it frequently partners with other entities like the American Historical Association and the New-York Historical Society on various initiatives. The total membership is deliberately kept small to preserve its character as an honorary body of peers.

Awards and prizes

The Society administers several prestigious awards to encourage and recognize outstanding historical writing. Its flagship honor is the **Francis Parkman Prize**, awarded annually for a nonfiction book that exhibits literary distinction in the study of American history; past winners include Robert A. Caro for his work on Robert Moses and Taylor Branch for his trilogy on Martin Luther King Jr.. The **Allan Nevins Prize** is given for the best-written doctoral dissertation in the field of American history. Furthermore, the Society presents the **James Fenimore Cooper Prize** for the best historical novel set in the Americas and, in partnership with the New-York Historical Society, the **American History Book Prize**. These awards are often presented at ceremonies in locations such as the Century Association in New York City.

Publications and activities

A principal activity is the publication of the journal *American Scholar*, though the Society's most direct publishing legacy is its long-standing relationship with the editing and promotion of significant historical works. It has sponsored lecture series, public symposia, and panel discussions on topics ranging from the American Civil War to the Cold War, often held at venues like the Grolier Club or Columbia University. The Society actively encourages the art of narrative history through workshops and public events that connect its members with students, aspiring writers, and the general public. These activities reinforce its founding mission to bridge the gap between rigorous scholarship and compelling storytelling.

Notable members

Throughout its history, the Society has elected a wide array of influential figures in American historical writing and public life. This includes Pulitzer Prize-winning historians like Barbara W. Tuchman, author of *The Guns of August*, and David Hackett Fischer, who wrote *Washington's Crossing*. Notable journalist-historians have also been members, such as Theodore H. White, chronicler of Presidential elections, and Rick Perlstein, an authority on modern American conservatism. Other distinguished members have included biographer Ron Chernow, legal historian Jill Lepore, and scholars of the American South like C. Vann Woodward. The roster reflects a commitment to diversity of subject matter and methodological approach, united by the common thread of exemplary literary craft.

Category:Historical societies in the United States Category:Organizations established in 1939 Category:Organizations based in New York City