Abraham Lincoln Institute
Encyclopedia
The Abraham Lincoln Institute (ALI), founded in 1997, is a non-profit organization
promoting scholarly research on the subject of Abraham Lincoln
. The institute utilizes dissertation prizes, book awards, and an annual Lincoln symposium to encourage research and scholarship on the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. These annual symposia, presented at the National Archives
in College Park, MD are a venue for both emerging and highly renowned Lincoln scholars to present the findings of their current research. They are attended by the general public and have been frequently filmed by organizations such as the National Archives and C-SPAN
.
on 9 June 1997. Its formal membership consists solely of a board of directors, the majority of whom must be nationally recognized scholars on the subjects of Abraham Lincoln and/or the American Civil War
. The board of directors meets at least twice a year for the purpose of planning educational programs and the symposium, election of officers and discussion of other business such as the annual dissertation and book awards. The board of directors is guided by an executive committee.
, Allen Guelzo, Michael Burlingame
, Cullom Davis, and Gabor Boritt
. Speakers have also included Lincoln researchers such as Doris Kearns Goodwin
and Lewis Lehrman
.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
promoting scholarly research on the subject of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
. The institute utilizes dissertation prizes, book awards, and an annual Lincoln symposium to encourage research and scholarship on the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. These annual symposia, presented at the National Archives
National Archives and Records Administration
The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent agency of the United States government charged with preserving and documenting government and historical records and with increasing public access to those documents, which comprise the National Archives...
in College Park, MD are a venue for both emerging and highly renowned Lincoln scholars to present the findings of their current research. They are attended by the general public and have been frequently filmed by organizations such as the National Archives and C-SPAN
C-SPAN
C-SPAN , an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is an American cable television network that offers coverage of federal government proceedings and other public affairs programming via its three television channels , one radio station and a group of websites that provide streaming...
.
Founding and organization
The Abraham Lincoln Institute was incorporated in the State of MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
on 9 June 1997. Its formal membership consists solely of a board of directors, the majority of whom must be nationally recognized scholars on the subjects of Abraham Lincoln and/or the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. The board of directors meets at least twice a year for the purpose of planning educational programs and the symposium, election of officers and discussion of other business such as the annual dissertation and book awards. The board of directors is guided by an executive committee.
Dissertation and book awards
The ALI Board of Directors present two awards annually. The Hay-Nicolay Dissertation Prize is given in conjunction with the Abraham Lincoln Association for what these two organizations consider to be the previous year’s most noteworthy dissertation on the subject of Abraham Lincoln. The Abraham Lincoln Institute book award is given for the previous year’s most noteworthy book on the subject of Abraham Lincoln. Book award winners in the past include Allen Guelzo for Redeemer President (2000) and Cullom Davis on behalf of the landmark Lincoln Legal Papers (2001).Annual symposium
Beginning in 1998, the institute has held a day-long symposium entitled The Latest in Lincoln Scholarship in the spring of each year. At this symposium, a number of Lincoln scholars present the results of their current research on the subject of Abraham Lincoln. The annual dissertation and book awards are also announced at this event. The symposium is held in the Washington, D.C., area and the general public is invited to attend, free of charge. Past speakers at symposium have included Lincoln scholars such as Douglas L. WilsonDouglas L. Wilson
Douglas L. Wilson is a professor and co-director of Lincoln Studies Center at Knox College.Wilson is the George A. Lawrence Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of English at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. He co-directs the along with his colleague Rodney O...
, Allen Guelzo, Michael Burlingame
Michael Burlingame (historian)
Michael Burlingame is an American historian, and May Buckley Sadowski '19 Professor Emeritus of History at Connecticut College.He is Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies, at University of Illinois, Springfield.-Life:...
, Cullom Davis, and Gabor Boritt
Gabor Boritt
Gabor S. Boritt was the Robert Fluhrer Professor of Civil War Studies and Director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College. Born in World War II Hungary, he participated as a teenager in the 1956 revolution against the Soviet Union. He escaped to the United States, where he received his...
. Speakers have also included Lincoln researchers such as Doris Kearns Goodwin
Doris Kearns Goodwin
Doris Kearns Goodwin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American biographer and historian, and an oft-seen political commentator. She is the author of biographies of several U.S...
and Lewis Lehrman
Lewis Lehrman
For the Texas judge, see Debra Lehrmann.Lewis E. "Lew" Lehrman is an investment banker who actively supports the ongoing study of American history from a conservative perspective. He was presented the National Humanities Medal at the White House in 2005 for his scholarly contributions...
.