The OAH Roy Rosenzweig Distinguished Service Award is presented each year to an individual or individuals whose contributions have significantly enriched our understanding and appreciation of American history. Beginning in 2008, the award is named in memory of Roy Rosenzweig, who was the Mark and Barbara Fried Chair and founding director of the Center for History and New Media at George Mason University. Rosenzweig, a pioneer of the field of digital humanities, was actively involved in OAH for more than fifteen years, serving on its nominating board, program committees, executive board, and was an OAH Distinguished Lecturer. In 2011, George Mason University renamed the Center for History and New Media to honor his memory. Rosenzweig passed away in 2007 at the age of 57.

Those eligible for this award include scholars, teachers, writers, public historians and officeholders who have shaped or deepened our sensitivity to the past. Ordinarily, recipients of this award will be members of the OAH with long service to the profession, but in exceptional cases this expectation may be waived. The committee is composed of the four outgoing Executive Board members.

Past Winners

2010 William H. Chafe

2009 Joyce Appleby, Susan Armeny, Stanley N. Katz

2008 David Thelen

2007 David M. Kennedy, Roy Rosenzweig

2006 Lawrence W. Levine

2005 Dwight T. Pitcaithley

2004Gwendolyn Midlo Hall

2003 Gary B. Nash

2002 John Hope Franklin, Gerda Lerner, Anne Firor Scott

2001 Richard S. Kirkendall, Maeva Marcus

2000 Al Young

1999 Samuel P. Hays, Sidney R. Yates

1997 Henry May

1996 Edmund S. Morgan

1995 John Hope Franklin

1993 Kenneth Stampp

1992 Richard W. Leopold

1990 Willie Lee Rose

1989 C. Vann Woodward

1984 Thomas D. Clark

1983 Thomas Bailey, John Caughey, Thomas Cochran

1982 Elmer Ellis, Paul Gates

1981 Ralph P. Bieber, Merle Curti