Troyer Steele Anderson Prize Recipients
The Anderson Prize is awarded to the person whom Council considers to have made the most outstanding contribution to the advancement of the purposes of the Association. The prize was established by a bequest from Frank Maloy Anderson (1871–1961), a diplomatic and constitutional historian and a life member of the AHA, in honor of the memory of his son, a historian and public servant.
2023
Michael Les Benedict, Ohio State University
2016
Daniel McInerney, for his essential role in the AHA's Tuning initiative—a multi-year, faculty-led project to articulate the disciplinary core of history and the skills that student should have at the completion of their degree.
2013
Thomas Rugh, for his invaluable work as a member of the AHA’s Finance Committee.
2011
James Billington, for his 24 years as the Librarian of Congress, during which time AHA members have benefited abundantly from his leadership and contributions
2010
Arnita Jones, for service as AHA executive director (May 1999-August 2010), as a vigorous proponent for the community of historians in a wide range of institutions, and as first director of the National Coordinating Committee for the Promotion of History
2008
Anna Nelson, in recognition of her efforts on behalf of public history
2007
Roy Rosenzweig, for service as vice president of the Research Division (2003-05)
2006
Linda Shopes, for service on the Committee on Women Historians (1995-98), on Council (1999-2002), and co-chair of the Task Force on Public History (2002-06)
2005
Stanley Katz, for service as vice president of the Research Division (1997-2000); on the Committee on International Historical Activities, and as chair of the AHA's Task Force on Intellectual Property (2001- )
2004
Albert Beveridge, III, for service as pro bono legal counsel of the AHA, on the occasion of his 10th year
2000
Page Miller, in recognition of 20 years as executive director of the National Coordinating Committee for the Promotion of History (now called the National Coalition for History)
David Trask, for service on Council and the Teaching Division (1995-98), as contributing editor to the Teaching Column in Perspectives (Sept. 1996-Sept. 1998), and as author of the "Statement on Excellent Classroom Teaching in History" (1998)
1995
Joseph Harris, for service as founding chair of the Committee on Minority Historians, created in 1990 largely upon his initiative (during his tenure, the Wesley-Logan Prize was created and funded and the Diversity Within America pamphlet series was initiated)
1990
Willie Lee Rose, in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Rose Report (the informal name for the Ad Hoc Committee on the Status of Women in the profession, which documented widespread sex discrimination within history departments and within the AHA)
1970
Boyd Shafer, for service as AHA executive director and AHR managing editor
2023 Anderson Prize
Michael Les Benedict, Ohio State University
As parliamentarian, Benedict worked behind the scenes with AHA officers and staff to develop and implement a series of fundamental revisions to the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws in response to a changing legal and cultural landscape, as well as a straightforward process of continued institutional learning. He also played an essential role at the annual business meeting, serving as the right hand for the presiding presidents and helping them navigate the complexities of parliamentary procedure amid controversy (often after spending additional hours beforehand preparing them for their role). His calm presence and assured mastery of parliamentary procedure helped maintain good order at many potentially contentious meetings. AHA staff often received comments about the quality of democratic process—a significant accomplishment given vigorous debates over content and process.