User:Gleidner/Abraham Lincoln Institute

The Abraham Lincoln Institute was founded on June 9, 1997 for the purpose of encouraging scholarly research on the subject of Abraham Lincoln. Among the founders of the Institute were a number of Lincoln scholars from across the United States, plus the following individuals from the Washington, D.C. area: Clark Evans, President; John Sellers, Vice-President; Paul Verduin, General Secretary; and Don Kennon, Treasurer.

Organization

The Abraham Lincoln Institute is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation incorporated in the State of Maryland. Its formal membership consists solely of a Board of Directors, the majority of whom are recognized scholars on the subject 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, 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, consisting of a board Chairman, President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and General Secretary.

Current Executive Committee members

John R. Sellers, Chairman; Lucas E. Morel, President; Michael Burlingame, Vice-President; Clark Evans, General Secretary; and Donald R. Kennon, Treasurer.

Dissertation and Book Awards

The Abraham Lincoln Institute respects the commitment and talent required for significant research and presentation in dissertations and books. Dissertation awards are given in conjunction with the Abraham Lincoln Association of Springfield, IL. At its annual symposia, the ALI Board of Directors present two awards, one for what it considers to be the previous year’s most noteworthy dissertation on the subject of Abraham Lincoln, and one for the previous year’s most noteworthy book on the subject of Abraham Lincoln. Previous Dissertation and Book Award Winners may be found on the Institute’s website.

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, DC area and the general public is invited to attend, free of charge. Details, including video, of what has been presented at previous symposia may be found at the Institute’s website.

The 2009 Symposium included presentations by the following Lincoln scholars:

• Michael Burlingame, PhD, Professor Emeritus of History, Connecticut College on the subject of “The Life of Abraham Lincoln: New Findings, Fresh Perspectives.”
• Ari Hoogenboom, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Brrooklyn College, City University of New York on the subject of “Lincoln’s Fox: A Companion in Time of Crisis.”
• Lewis Lehrman, Chairman, The Lincoln Institute on the subject of “Lincoln at the Turning Point: From Peoria to the Presidency.”
• Russell McClintock, PhD, History Teacher, St. John’s High School, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts on the subject of “Lincoln, the North, and Secession.”
• James Oakes, PhD, Professor of U.S. History, Graduate Center, City of New York on the subject of “Becoming Lincoln: Making of an Emancipationist.”